diff --git a/catalyst/exchange/exchange.py b/catalyst/exchange/exchange.py
index 20cbe967..310d12fc 100644
--- a/catalyst/exchange/exchange.py
+++ b/catalyst/exchange/exchange.py
@@ -662,20 +662,16 @@ class Exchange:
 
         return df
 
-    def _check_low_balance(self, currency, balances, amount, open_orders=None):
+    def _check_low_balance(self, currency, balances, amount):
         free = balances[currency]['free'] if currency in balances else 0.0
 
-        if open_orders:
-            # TODO: make sure that this works
-            free += sum([order.amount for order in open_orders])
-
         if free < amount:
             return free, True
 
         else:
             return free, False
 
-    def sync_positions(self, positions, open_orders=None, cash=None,
+    def sync_positions(self, positions, cash=None,
                        check_balances=False):
         """
         Update the portfolio cash and position balances based on the
diff --git a/catalyst/exchange/exchange_algorithm.py b/catalyst/exchange/exchange_algorithm.py
index 5bf103fa..98966a82 100644
--- a/catalyst/exchange/exchange_algorithm.py
+++ b/catalyst/exchange/exchange_algorithm.py
@@ -638,6 +638,15 @@ class ExchangeTradingAlgorithmLive(ExchangeTradingAlgorithmBase):
                 if asset_orders:
                     orders += asset_orders
 
+            required_cash = self.portfolio.cash if not orders else None
+            cash, positions_value = exchange.sync_positions(
+                positions=exchange_positions,
+                check_balances=check_balances,
+                cash=required_cash,
+            )
+            total_cash += cash
+            total_positions_value += positions_value
+
             # Applying modifications to the original positions
             for position in exchange_positions:
                 tracker.update_position(
@@ -647,16 +656,6 @@ class ExchangeTradingAlgorithmLive(ExchangeTradingAlgorithmBase):
                     last_sale_price=position.last_sale_price,
                 )
 
-            required_cash = self.portfolio.cash if not orders else None
-            cash, positions_value = exchange.sync_positions(
-                positions=exchange_positions,
-                open_orders=orders,
-                check_balances=check_balances,
-                cash=required_cash,
-            )
-            total_cash += cash
-            total_positions_value += positions_value
-
         if not check_balances:
             total_cash = self.portfolio.cash