diff --git a/light9/web/rdfdbclient.ts b/light9/web/rdfdbclient.ts
--- a/light9/web/rdfdbclient.ts
+++ b/light9/web/rdfdbclient.ts
@@ -28,7 +28,14 @@ export class RdfDbClient {
       this.clearGraphOnNewConnection();
     });
     this.channel.serverMessage.subscribe((m) => {
-      parseJsonPatch(m.body, this.applyPatch.bind(this));
+      log('got server json', m.body)
+      parseJsonPatch(m.body, (p: Patch) => {
+        log('patch from server:', p.dump())
+        if (p.isEmpty()) {
+          return;
+        }
+        this.applyPatch(p);
+      });
     });
   }