diff --git a/api-server/src/server/boot/user.js b/api-server/src/server/boot/user.js
index 17a46a89256..c89e8c17d99 100644
--- a/api-server/src/server/boot/user.js
+++ b/api-server/src/server/boot/user.js
@@ -225,9 +225,13 @@ function createPostSubmitSurvey(app) {
   return async function postSubmitSurvey(req, res) {
     const { user, body } = req;
     const { surveyResults } = body;
-    const { completedSurveys = [] } = user;
+    const { id: userId } = user;
     const { title } = surveyResults;
 
+    const completedSurveys = await Survey.find({
+      where: { userId }
+    });
+
     const surveyAlreadyTaken = completedSurveys.some(s => s.title === title);
     if (surveyAlreadyTaken) {
       return res.status(400).json({