diff --git a/anki/deck.py b/anki/deck.py
index b51492977..725e28e6e 100644
--- a/anki/deck.py
+++ b/anki/deck.py
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ SEARCH_FIELD = 6
 SEARCH_FIELD_EXISTS = 7
 SEARCH_QA = 8
 SEARCH_PHRASE_WB = 9
-DECK_VERSION = 55
+DECK_VERSION = 56
 
 deckVarsTable = Table(
     'deckVars', metadata,
@@ -3750,6 +3750,11 @@ create index if not exists ix_cards_typeCombined on cards
         deck.s.statement("""
 create index if not exists ix_cards_relativeDelay on cards
 (relativeDelay)""")
+        # priority - temporary index to make compat code faster. this can be
+        # removed when all clients are on 1.2, as can the ones below
+        deck.s.statement("""
+create index if not exists ix_cards_priority on cards
+(priority)""")
         # failed cards, review early - obsolete
         deck.s.statement("""
 create index if not exists ix_cards_duePriority on cards
@@ -4295,6 +4300,11 @@ update fieldModels set quizFontFamily = 'Arial' where not quizFontFamily
 or quizFontFamily is null""")
             deck.version = 55
             deck.s.commit()
+        if deck.version < 56:
+            # add an index for priority
+            DeckStorage._addIndices(deck)
+            deck.version = 56
+            deck.s.commit()
         # executing a pragma here is very slow on large decks, so we store
         # our own record
         if not deck.getInt("pageSize") == 4096: