diff --git a/packages/plugins/acl/src/server.ts b/packages/plugins/acl/src/server.ts
index 7b19c0e12..8a487a06f 100644
--- a/packages/plugins/acl/src/server.ts
+++ b/packages/plugins/acl/src/server.ts
@@ -269,7 +269,11 @@ export class PluginACL extends Plugin {
 
     // sync database role data to acl
     this.app.on('afterLoad', async (app, options) => {
-      if (options.method !== 'install') {
+      if (options.method === 'install') {
+        return;
+      }
+      const exists = await this.app.db.collectionExistsInDb('roles');
+      if (exists) {
         await this.writeRolesToACL();
       }
     });
@@ -443,7 +447,6 @@ export class PluginACL extends Plugin {
       directory: resolve(__dirname, 'collections'),
     });
   }
-
 }
 
 export default PluginACL;