diff --git a/packages/stream_chat/CHANGELOG.md b/packages/stream_chat/CHANGELOG.md
index 2937a2c9..7b0b41ab 100644
--- a/packages/stream_chat/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/packages/stream_chat/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,3 +1,8 @@
+## Upcomming
+
+🐞 Fixed
+- Fixed initializing last synced date.
+
 ## 5.1.0
 
 ✅ Added
diff --git a/packages/stream_chat/lib/src/client/client.dart b/packages/stream_chat/lib/src/client/client.dart
index a9569c20..4f2dbda3 100644
--- a/packages/stream_chat/lib/src/client/client.dart
+++ b/packages/stream_chat/lib/src/client/client.dart
@@ -453,6 +453,15 @@ class StreamChatClient {
         if (persistenceEnabled) {
           await sync(cids: cids, lastSyncAt: _lastSyncedAt);
         }
+      } else {
+        // channels are empty, assuming it's a fresh start
+        // and making sure `lastSyncAt` is initialized
+        if (persistenceEnabled) {
+          final lastSyncAt = await _chatPersistenceClient?.getLastSyncAt();
+          if (lastSyncAt == null) {
+            await _chatPersistenceClient?.updateLastSyncAt(DateTime.now());
+          }
+        }
       }
       handleEvent(Event(
         type: EventType.connectionRecovered,