diff --git a/ankisyncd/sync_app.py b/ankisyncd/sync_app.py
index 5d55aca..e6b2fa0 100644
--- a/ankisyncd/sync_app.py
+++ b/ankisyncd/sync_app.py
@@ -518,7 +518,11 @@ class SyncApp(object):
             if url not in self.valid_urls:
                 raise HTTPNotFound()
 
-            if url == 'begin' or url == 'mediaChanges' or url == 'uploadChanges':
+            if url == 'begin':
+                skey = checksum(str(random.random()))[:8]
+                data['skey'] = skey
+                session.skey = skey
+            elif url == 'mediaChanges' or url == 'uploadChanges':
                 data['skey'] = session.skey
 
             return self._execute_handler_method_in_thread(url, data, session)
@@ -673,4 +677,4 @@ def main():
     finally:
         shutdown()
 
-if __name__ == '__main__': main()
\ No newline at end of file
+if __name__ == '__main__': main()