diff --git a/src/lib/charm/openstack/designate_bind.py b/src/lib/charm/openstack/designate_bind.py
index 51664ca..7cffee9 100644
--- a/src/lib/charm/openstack/designate_bind.py
+++ b/src/lib/charm/openstack/designate_bind.py
@@ -397,7 +397,9 @@ class DesignateBindCharm(openstack_charm.OpenStackCharm):
 
         request_time = None
         if cluster_relation:
-            request_time = cluster_relation.retrieve_local(CLUSTER_SYNC_KEY)
+            request_times = list(set(
+                cluster_relation.retrieve_local(CLUSTER_SYNC_KEY)))
+            request_time = request_times[0]
         sync_time = DesignateBindCharm.get_sync_time()
         if request_time and request_time > sync_time:
             hookenv.log(('Request for sync sent but remote sync time is too'
diff --git a/unit_tests/test_lib_charm_openstack_designate_bind.py b/unit_tests/test_lib_charm_openstack_designate_bind.py
index 748a36c..c1bea6e 100644
--- a/unit_tests/test_lib_charm_openstack_designate_bind.py
+++ b/unit_tests/test_lib_charm_openstack_designate_bind.py
@@ -388,13 +388,13 @@ class TestDesignateBindCharm(Helper):
             mock.call('start', ['bind9'])]
         a = designate_bind.DesignateBindCharm()
         # Using cluster_relation, no sync needed
-        relation.retrieve_local.return_value = '30'
+        relation.retrieve_local.return_value = ['30']
         self.get_sync_time.return_value = '20'
         a.retrieve_zones(relation)
         self.assertFalse(self.service_control.called)
         # Using cluster_relation, sync needed
         self.service_control.reset_mock()
-        relation.retrieve_local.return_value = '10'
+        relation.retrieve_local.return_value = ['10']
         self.get_sync_time.return_value = '20'
         a.retrieve_zones(relation)
         self.service_control.assert_has_calls(ctrl_calls)