diff --git a/ObjectService/RouteHandlers/TableHandlers/ObjectRouteHandler.cs b/ObjectService/RouteHandlers/TableHandlers/ObjectRouteHandler.cs
index 8174ef7c..19144a69 100644
--- a/ObjectService/RouteHandlers/TableHandlers/ObjectRouteHandler.cs
+++ b/ObjectService/RouteHandlers/TableHandlers/ObjectRouteHandler.cs
@@ -252,6 +252,12 @@ static async Task<IResult> CreateDatAsync(DtoObjectPost request, [FromServices]
 		if (db.DoesObjectExist(hdrs.S5.Name, hdrs.S5.Checksum, out var existingObject))
 		{
 			// todo: if we get here - the object doesn't exist but the dat object does - we should then link them
+			// save changes first to persist any missing object removal
+			if (missingEntry != null)
+			{
+				_ = await db.SaveChangesAsync();
+			}
+
 			return Results.Accepted($"Object already exists in the database. DatName={hdrs.S5.Name} DatChecksum={hdrs.S5.Checksum} UploadedDate={existingObject!.UploadedDate}");
 		}