diff --git a/src/utils.py b/src/utils.py
index 466dd49a4..057638d3b 100644
--- a/src/utils.py
+++ b/src/utils.py
@@ -1192,7 +1192,7 @@ def get_area(*args) -> float:
     return f * rect.width * rect.height
 
 
-def set_metadata(doc: pymupdf.Document, m: dict) -> None:
+def set_metadata(doc: pymupdf.Document, m: dict = {}) -> None:
     """Update the PDF /Info object.
 
     Args:
@@ -1238,6 +1238,7 @@ def set_metadata(doc: pymupdf.Document, m: dict) -> None:
         doc.xref_set_key(-1, "Info", "%i 0 R" % info_xref)
     elif m == {}:  # remove existing metadata
         doc.xref_set_key(-1, "Info", "null")
+        doc.init_doc()
         return
 
     for key, val in [(k, v) for k, v in m.items() if keymap[k] is not None]:
diff --git a/tests/test_metadata.py b/tests/test_metadata.py
index 63a440cc8..9a5ef8ca4 100644
--- a/tests/test_metadata.py
+++ b/tests/test_metadata.py
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ def test_3237():
         metadata1 = doc.metadata
         metadata1 = repr(metadata1).encode('utf8')
         doc.set_metadata({})
-        doc.init_doc()
+
         metadata2 = doc.metadata
         metadata2 = repr(metadata2).encode('utf8')
         print(f'{metadata1=}')