diff --git a/packages/db/migrations/0122.do.update_highlight.sql b/packages/db/migrations/0122.do.update_highlight.sql
index aeaacd542..1e942a557 100755
--- a/packages/db/migrations/0122.do.update_highlight.sql
+++ b/packages/db/migrations/0122.do.update_highlight.sql
@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@
 
 BEGIN;
 
+-- delete existing highlights
+DELETE FROM omnivore.highlight;
+
 CREATE TYPE highlight_type AS ENUM (
     'HIGHLIGHT',
     'REDACTION',