diff --git a/lexicons/src/normalize.ts b/lexicons/src/normalize.ts
index 9e8755ec..70ac45b9 100644
--- a/lexicons/src/normalize.ts
+++ b/lexicons/src/normalize.ts
@@ -219,7 +219,9 @@ export function normalizeDocument(
       bskyPostRef: record.postRef,
       content,
       theme: record.theme,
-      preferences: leafletPrefs,
+      preferences: leafletPrefs
+        ? { ...leafletPrefs, $type: "site.standard.publication#preferences" as const }
+        : undefined,
     };
   }