diff --git a/uproject b/uproject
index 36dc4ae..9df4a0a 100755
--- a/uproject
+++ b/uproject
@@ -236,10 +236,16 @@ elif array_contains VCS_CMDS "$CMD"; then
     "vcs_$CMD" "$@"
 
 elif array_contains GITANNEX_CMDS "$CMD"; then
+    function xsync() {
+        local direct
+        is_yes "$(git config --get annex.direct)" && direct=1
+        git annex sync ${direct:+--content}
+    }
     use_ssh_wrapper
     case "$CMD" in
     annex) git annex "$@";;
-    xcopy|xmove|xget) git annex "${CMD#x}" "$@" && git annex sync;;
+    xsync) xsync;;
+    xcopy|xmove|xget) git annex "${CMD#x}" "$@" && xsync;;
     xinitial) git_annex_initial "$@";;
     *) git annex "${CMD#x}" "$@";;
     esac