diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index a6f0217..3b1a011 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
       "license": "ISC",
       "dependencies": {
         "@dignetwork/datalayer-driver": "^0.1.28",
-        "@dignetwork/dig-sdk": "^0.0.1-alpha.167",
+        "@dignetwork/dig-sdk": "^0.0.1-alpha.169",
         "async-mutex": "^0.5.0",
         "busboy": "^1.6.0",
         "express": "^4.19.2",
@@ -252,9 +252,9 @@
       }
     },
     "node_modules/@dignetwork/dig-sdk": {
-      "version": "0.0.1-alpha.167",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@dignetwork/dig-sdk/-/dig-sdk-0.0.1-alpha.167.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-t46nVGSRui9bLsmjx6LO/c8IOMDQI4Cy/S7vC4jRUT8CJconrHtGkL3BJ2v+NS8r/RbMHCJlnXDHdOm5c/T1sA==",
+      "version": "0.0.1-alpha.169",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@dignetwork/dig-sdk/-/dig-sdk-0.0.1-alpha.169.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-lDrsTbNuDz1KXRkAmOy6D07S4pUpoqZPBdeYf94pKIOuFyOd79HgI2n+afpIJTdx6PjZbyKWCKpIQXDNQ258Fw==",
       "dependencies": {
         "@dignetwork/datalayer-driver": "^0.1.29",
         "@dignetwork/dig-sdk": "^0.0.1-alpha.158",
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 7c70f1a..64533ef 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
     "build": "rm -rf dist && tsc && npm run postbuild",
     "postbuild": "copyfiles -u 1 \"src/**/*.crt\" \"src/**/*.key\" dist",
     "start": "ts-node src/index.ts",
-    "dev": "set DIG_USERNAME=1234 && set DIG_PASSWORD=1234 && ts-node src/index.ts",
+    "dev": "set DIG_USERNAME=1234&& set DIG_PASSWORD=1234&& ts-node src/index.ts",
     "server": "ts-node src/server.ts",
     "test": "mocha -r ts-node/register tests.ts",
     "prepare-release": "bash ./scripts/release.sh"
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
   ],
   "dependencies": {
     "@dignetwork/datalayer-driver": "^0.1.28",
-    "@dignetwork/dig-sdk": "^0.0.1-alpha.167",
+    "@dignetwork/dig-sdk": "^0.0.1-alpha.169",
     "async-mutex": "^0.5.0",
     "busboy": "^1.6.0",
     "express": "^4.19.2",
diff --git a/src/tasks/sync_stores.ts b/src/tasks/sync_stores.ts
index 8492ef2..1c2daca 100644
--- a/src/tasks/sync_stores.ts
+++ b/src/tasks/sync_stores.ts
@@ -157,16 +157,20 @@ const synchronizeStore = async (
 ): Promise<void> => {
   console.log(`Starting synchronization for store ${storeId}...`);
 
-  const isSynced = await isStoreSynced(storeId);
-
-  if (isSynced) {
-    console.log(`Store ${storeId} is synced. Proceeding with peer checks.`);
-    await handleSyncedStore(storeId, serverCoin);
-  } else {
-    console.log(
-      `Store ${storeId} is not synced. Initiating synchronization from peers.`
-    );
-    await syncStoreFromNetwork(storeId);
+  // Store might have been deleted so just check its still there
+  // otherwise risk bringing the store back
+  if (fs.existsSync(path.join(STORE_PATH, storeId))) {
+    const isSynced = await isStoreSynced(storeId);
+
+    if (isSynced) {
+      console.log(`Store ${storeId} is synced. Proceeding with peer checks.`);
+      await handleSyncedStore(storeId, serverCoin);
+    } else {
+      console.log(
+        `Store ${storeId} is not synced. Initiating synchronization from peers.`
+      );
+      await syncStoreFromNetwork(storeId);
+    }
   }
 };