diff --git a/securedrop_client/logic.py b/securedrop_client/logic.py
index cfa12dd2f3..35891dbddc 100644
--- a/securedrop_client/logic.py
+++ b/securedrop_client/logic.py
@@ -347,6 +347,7 @@ def on_authenticate_failure(self, result: Exception) -> None:
         error = _('There was a problem signing in. '
                   'Please verify your credentials and try again.')
         self.gui.show_login_error(error=error)
+        self.api_sync.stop()
 
     def login_offline_mode(self):
         """
@@ -493,6 +494,7 @@ def logout(self):
                       self.on_logout_failure)
         self.api = None
         self.api_job_queue.logout()
+        self.api_sync.stop()
         storage.mark_all_pending_drafts_as_failed(self.session)
         self.gui.logout()
         self.is_authenticated = False
diff --git a/securedrop_client/sync.py b/securedrop_client/sync.py
index d722575947..5a8f817564 100644
--- a/securedrop_client/sync.py
+++ b/securedrop_client/sync.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ def __init__(
 
     def start(self, api_client: API) -> None:
         '''
-        Stop metadata syncs.
+        Start metadata syncs.
         '''
         self.api_client = api_client
 
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ def stop(self):
             logger.debug('Stopping sync thread')
             self.sync_thread.quit()
 
-    def sync(self):
+    def _sync(self):
         '''
         Create and run a new MetadataSyncJob.
         '''