diff --git a/files.py b/files.py
index 58e3fce..3ec19cb 100644
--- a/files.py
+++ b/files.py
@@ -729,7 +729,12 @@ def view(id):
     # face locn data, just warn & redirect
     if id not in eids:
         print( f"ERROR: viewing an id, but its not in eids OPT={OPT}, id={id}, eids={eids}")
-        st.SetMessage("Sorry, viewing data is confused, cannot view this image now", "warning" ) 
+        msg="Sorry, viewing data is confused, cannot view this image now"
+        if os.environ['FLASK_ENV'] == "production":
+            msg += "Clearing out all states.  This means browser back buttons will not work, please start a new tab and try again"
+            PA_UserState.query.delete()
+            db.session.commit()
+        st.SetMessage( msg, "warning" )
         return redirect("/")
     else:
         return render_template("viewer.html", current=int(id), eids=eids, objs=objs, OPT=OPT )