--- a/rdfdb/syncedgraph/syncedgraph_base.py	Sat May 27 17:38:13 2023 -0700
+++ b/rdfdb/syncedgraph/syncedgraph_base.py	Sat May 27 17:55:20 2023 -0700
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@
 
         # correct but ineffecient-- better to wait until new connection and apply only the diff
         log.debug(f'graph has {len(self._graph)} . lets clear it')
-        await self.patch(Patch(delQuads=self._graph.quads()))
+        await self._patchLocally(Patch(delQuads=self._graph.quads()))
         log.info(f'cleared graph to {len(self._graph)} (should be 0)')
         log.error('graph is not updating- you need to restart')
 
@@ -159,14 +159,21 @@
             log.warn("not currently connected- dropping patch")
             return
 
+        debugKey = await self._patchLocally(p)
+
+        log.debug('sendPatch')
+        await self.ws.send_str(p.jsonRepr)
+        log.debug('patch is done %s', debugKey)
+
+    async def _patchLocally(self, p: Patch) -> str:
+        debugKey = '[id=%s]' % (id(p) % 1000)
         if p.isNoop():
             log.info("skipping no-op patch")
-            return
+            return debugKey
 
         # these could fail if we're out of sync. One approach:
         # Rerequest the full state from the server, try the patch
         # again after that, then give up.
-        debugKey = '[id=%s]' % (id(p) % 1000)
         log.debug("\napply local patch %s %s", debugKey, p)
         try:
             self._applyPatchLocally(p)
@@ -175,9 +182,7 @@
             raise _CorruptionNeedResync()
         log.debug('runDepsOnNewPatch')
         await self.runDepsOnNewPatch(p)
-        log.debug('sendPatch')
-        await self.ws.send_str(p.jsonRepr)
-        log.debug('patch is done %s', debugKey)
+        return debugKey
 
     async def suggestPrefixes(self, ctx, prefixes):
         """