diff --git a/website/server/libs/payments/subscriptions.js b/website/server/libs/payments/subscriptions.js
index 80401f21de..2052dc4c9a 100644
--- a/website/server/libs/payments/subscriptions.js
+++ b/website/server/libs/payments/subscriptions.js
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ import { // eslint-disable-line import/no-cycle
   model as Group,
   basicFields as basicGroupFields,
 } from '../../models/group';
-import { model as User } from '../../models/user'; // eslint-disable-line import/no-cycle
 import {
   NotAuthorized,
   NotFound,
@@ -80,22 +79,6 @@ async function createSubscription (data) {
   let emailType = 'subscription-begins';
   let recipientIsSubscribed = recipient.isSubscribed();
 
-  if (data.user && !data.gift && !data.groupId) {
-    const unlockedUser = await User.findOneAndUpdate(
-      {
-        _id: data.user._id,
-        $or: [
-          { _subSignature: 'NOT_RUNNING' },
-          { _subSignature: { $exists: false } },
-        ],
-      },
-      { $set: { _subSignature: 'SUB_IN_PROGRESS' } },
-    );
-    if (!unlockedUser) {
-      throw new NotFound('User not found or subscription already processing.');
-    }
-  }
-
   //  If we are buying a group subscription
   if (data.groupId) {
     const groupFields = basicGroupFields.concat(' purchased');
@@ -299,6 +282,10 @@ async function createSubscription (data) {
     }
   }
 
+  if (group) await group.save();
+  if (data.user && data.user.isModified()) await data.user.save();
+  if (data.gift) await data.gift.member.save();
+
   slack.sendSubscriptionNotification({
     buyer: {
       id: data.user._id,
@@ -315,24 +302,6 @@ async function createSubscription (data) {
     groupId,
     autoRenews,
   });
-
-  if (group) {
-    await group.save();
-  }
-  if (data.user) {
-    if (data.user.isModified()) {
-      await data.user.save();
-    }
-    if (!data.gift && !data.groupId) {
-      await User.findOneAndUpdate(
-        { _id: data.user._id },
-        { $set: { _subSignature: 'NOT_RUNNING' } },
-      );
-    }
-  }
-  if (data.gift) {
-    await data.gift.member.save();
-  }
 }
 
 // Cancels a subscription or group plan, setting termination to happen later