diff --git a/apps/recnet-api/src/database/repository/user.repository.ts b/apps/recnet-api/src/database/repository/user.repository.ts
index 1811137c..60439d59 100644
--- a/apps/recnet-api/src/database/repository/user.repository.ts
+++ b/apps/recnet-api/src/database/repository/user.repository.ts
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ export default class UserRepository {
         select: user.select,
       });
 
-      await prisma.inviteCode.update({
+      const inviteCode = await prisma.inviteCode.update({
         where: { code: createUserInput.inviteCode },
         data: {
           usedById: userInTransaction.id,
@@ -115,6 +115,14 @@ export default class UserRepository {
         },
       });
 
+      // follow the person who gave the invite code
+      await prisma.followingRecord.create({
+        data: {
+          followedById: userInTransaction.id,
+          followingId: inviteCode.ownerId,
+        },
+      });
+
       return userInTransaction;
     });
   }