diff --git a/test/client-old/spec/controllers/notificationCtrlSpec.js b/test/client-old/spec/controllers/notificationCtrlSpec.js
index bb4caae6a1..a47acfbddb 100644
--- a/test/client-old/spec/controllers/notificationCtrlSpec.js
+++ b/test/client-old/spec/controllers/notificationCtrlSpec.js
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ describe('Notification Controller', function() {
   beforeEach(function() {
     user = specHelper.newUser();
     user._id = "unique-user-id";
+    user.needsCron = false;
 
     var userSync = sinon.stub().returns({
       then: function then (f) { f(); }
diff --git a/website/client-old/js/controllers/notificationCtrl.js b/website/client-old/js/controllers/notificationCtrl.js
index dc55e8395c..0653b88e10 100644
--- a/website/client-old/js/controllers/notificationCtrl.js
+++ b/website/client-old/js/controllers/notificationCtrl.js
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ habitrpg.controller('NotificationCtrl',
       if (yesterDailies.length === 0) {
         User.runCron().then(function () {
           isRunningYesterdailies = false;
+          handleUserNotifications(User.user);
         });
         return;
       };
@@ -73,6 +74,7 @@ habitrpg.controller('NotificationCtrl',
             User.runCron()
               .then(function () {
                 isRunningYesterdailies = false;
+                handleUserNotifications(User.user);
               });
           };
         }],
@@ -313,13 +315,14 @@ habitrpg.controller('NotificationCtrl',
     // are now stored in user.notifications.
     $rootScope.$watchCollection('userNotifications', function (after) {
       if (!User.user._wrapped) return;
+      if (User.user.needsCron) return;
       handleUserNotifications(after);
     });
 
-    var handleUserNotificationsOnFirstSync = _.once(function () {
-      handleUserNotifications($rootScope.userNotifications);
-    });
-    $rootScope.$on('userUpdated', handleUserNotificationsOnFirstSync);
+    // var handleUserNotificationsOnFirstSync = _.once(function () {
+    //   handleUserNotifications($rootScope.userNotifications);
+    // });
+    // $rootScope.$on('userUpdated', handleUserNotificationsOnFirstSync);
 
     // TODO what about this?
     $rootScope.$watch('user.achievements', function(){