diff --git a/backend/src/utils/setup/backfillData.ts b/backend/src/utils/setup/backfillData.ts
index 84b10e6d6..ae6279bfc 100644
--- a/backend/src/utils/setup/backfillData.ts
+++ b/backend/src/utils/setup/backfillData.ts
@@ -678,7 +678,8 @@ export const backfillPermission = async () => {
   await Membership.updateMany(
     {
       deniedPermissions: {
-        $exists: true
+        $exists: true,
+        $ne: []
       },
       role: MEMBER
     },