diff --git a/backend/src/schema/resolvers/users.js b/backend/src/schema/resolvers/users.js
index 23a39a2a1..12f00ffb6 100644
--- a/backend/src/schema/resolvers/users.js
+++ b/backend/src/schema/resolvers/users.js
@@ -286,6 +286,10 @@ export default {
           { id },
         )
       })
+
+      // frontend gives [] when all categories are selected (default)
+      if (activeCategories.length === 0) return true
+
       const writeTxResultPromise = session.writeTransaction(async (transaction) => {
         const saveCategorySettingsResponse = await transaction.run(
           `