diff --git a/themis/importexport/sync.py b/themis/importexport/sync.py
index 284a9ee..46135b2 100644
--- a/themis/importexport/sync.py
+++ b/themis/importexport/sync.py
@@ -367,6 +367,8 @@ class SyncFromThemis(UtilityView):
                     related_docs.append(self.intids.getId(related_doc))
                 object.related_docs = self.create_relation_value_list_if_needed(
                         object.related_docs, related_docs)
+            else:
+                object.related_docs = []
 
             authors_v = None
             if data.get('auteur'):