diff --git a/CHANGES/3969.bugfix b/CHANGES/3969.bugfix
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c283c14070
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CHANGES/3969.bugfix
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Improved the performance when looking up content for repository versions.
diff --git a/pulpcore/app/models/repository.py b/pulpcore/app/models/repository.py
index 5b84532c99..a73bfaac93 100644
--- a/pulpcore/app/models/repository.py
+++ b/pulpcore/app/models/repository.py
@@ -707,7 +707,7 @@ def get_content(self, content_qs=None):
         if content_qs is None:
             content_qs = Content.objects
 
-        return content_qs.filter(version_memberships__in=self._content_relationships())
+        return content_qs.filter(pk__in=self._content_relationships().values_list("content_id"))
 
     @property
     def content(self):