diff --git a/packages/db/remove_original_content.py b/packages/db/remove_original_content.py
index 29285e134..60516804d 100755
--- a/packages/db/remove_original_content.py
+++ b/packages/db/remove_original_content.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ def batch_update_library_items(conn):
                     SELECT ctid
                     FROM omnivore.library_item
                     WHERE original_content IS NOT NULL
+                    ORDER BY user_id
                     LIMIT {batch_size}
                 )
             """)