diff --git a/chainsyncer/backend.py b/chainsyncer/backend.py
index 7f4ddc1..193b49c 100644
--- a/chainsyncer/backend.py
+++ b/chainsyncer/backend.py
@@ -50,6 +50,8 @@ class SyncerBackend:
         if self.db_object == None:
             raise ValueError('sync entry with id {} not found'.format(self.object_id))
 
+        return self.db_session
+
 
     def disconnect(self):
         """Commits state of sync to backend.
@@ -285,9 +287,7 @@ class SyncerBackend:
 
 
     def complete_filter(self, n):
-        self.connect()
         self.db_object_filter.set(n)
-        self.disconnect()
 
 
 
diff --git a/setup.cfg b/setup.cfg
index e6414b9..f22165a 100644
--- a/setup.cfg
+++ b/setup.cfg
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [metadata]
 name = chainsyncer
-version = 0.0.1a16
+version = 0.0.1a17
 description = Generic blockchain syncer driver
 author = Louis Holbrook
 author_email = dev@holbrook.no