diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 72e55a7..8da2d9d 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,15 @@ create-bundle: guard-domu
 	mkdir -p .bundles
 	git bundle create - --all > .bundles/qubes-mgmt-salt
 
+# cures common weird states (thanks xyhhx for the tip)
+# also try `sudo rm -rf /var/cache/salt /srv/salt/_tops/*`
+.PHONY: cure
+cure:
+	sudo rm -rf /var/cache/salt
+	sudo rm -rf /srv/salt/_tops/* 
+	qubesctl saltutil.clear_cache
+	qubesctl saltutil.sync_all
+
 .PHONY: pull pull/%
 pull: pull/$(shell git branch --show-current)
 pull/%: