diff --git a/packages/host/app/services/matrix-service.ts b/packages/host/app/services/matrix-service.ts
index 4d6aea0573..bfb160c9b5 100644
--- a/packages/host/app/services/matrix-service.ts
+++ b/packages/host/app/services/matrix-service.ts
@@ -268,12 +268,15 @@ export default class MatrixService extends Service {
     this._isInitializingNewUser = true;
     this.start({ auth });
     this.setDisplayName(displayName);
-    await this.createPersonalRealmForUser({
-      endpoint: 'personal',
-      name: `${displayName}'s Workspace`,
-      iconURL: iconURLFor(displayName),
-      backgroundURL: getRandomBackgroundURL(),
-    });
+    await Promise.all([
+      this.createPersonalRealmForUser({
+        endpoint: 'personal',
+        name: `${displayName}'s Workspace`,
+        iconURL: iconURLFor(displayName),
+        backgroundURL: getRandomBackgroundURL(),
+      }),
+      this.realmServer.fetchCatalogRealms(),
+    ]);
     this._isInitializingNewUser = false;
   }
 
@@ -377,7 +380,10 @@ export default class MatrixService extends Service {
         await this.realmServer.setAvailableRealmURLs(
           accountDataContent?.realms ?? [],
         );
-        await this.loginToRealms();
+        await Promise.all([
+          this.loginToRealms(),
+          this.realmServer.fetchCatalogRealms(),
+        ]);
         this.postLoginCompleted = true;
       } catch (e) {
         console.log('Error starting Matrix client', e);
diff --git a/packages/host/app/services/realm-server.ts b/packages/host/app/services/realm-server.ts
index d634977e88..6aad678b2e 100644
--- a/packages/host/app/services/realm-server.ts
+++ b/packages/host/app/services/realm-server.ts
@@ -212,7 +212,10 @@ export default class RealmServerService extends Service {
     };
   }
 
-  private async fetchCatalogRealms() {
+  async fetchCatalogRealms() {
+    if (this.catalogRealmURLs.length > 0) {
+      return;
+    }
     let response = await this.network.authedFetch(
       `${this.url.origin}/_catalog-realms`,
     );
diff --git a/packages/matrix/tests/registration-with-token.spec.ts b/packages/matrix/tests/registration-with-token.spec.ts
index 34bc41d4ff..a7364881a2 100644
--- a/packages/matrix/tests/registration-with-token.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/matrix/tests/registration-with-token.spec.ts
@@ -151,6 +151,11 @@ test.describe('User Registration w/ Token - isolated realm server', () => {
       page.locator(`[data-test-workspace-chooser-toggle]`),
       'workspace toggle button is disabled when no workspaces opened',
     ).toBeDisabled();
+    await expect(
+      page.locator(
+        `[data-test-catalog-list] [data-test-workspace="Test Workspace A"]`,
+      ),
+    ).toHaveCount(1);
 
     let newRealmURL = new URL('user1/personal/', serverIndexUrl).href;
     await enterWorkspace(page, "Test User's Workspace");
@@ -198,6 +203,11 @@ test.describe('User Registration w/ Token - isolated realm server', () => {
     await expect(
       page.locator(`[data-test-workspace="Test User's Workspace"]`),
     ).toHaveCount(0);
+    await expect(
+      page.locator(
+        `[data-test-catalog-list] [data-test-workspace="Test Workspace A"]`,
+      ),
+    ).toHaveCount(1);
 
     // assert newly registered user can login with their credentials
     await logout(page);
@@ -215,6 +225,11 @@ test.describe('User Registration w/ Token - isolated realm server', () => {
     await expect(
       page.locator(`[data-test-workspace="Test User's Workspace"]`),
     ).toHaveCount(1);
+    await expect(
+      page.locator(
+        `[data-test-catalog-list] [data-test-workspace="Test Workspace A"]`,
+      ),
+    ).toHaveCount(1);
 
     // we're including the following assertions in this test because the
     // isolated realm is so expensive, otherwise it would be desireable to have