1 files changed, 4 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/initial_sync.py b/synapse/handlers/initial_sync.py
index 1fb17fd9a5..e009395207 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/initial_sync.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/initial_sync.py
@@ -372,6 +372,10 @@ class InitialSyncHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         @defer.inlineCallbacks
         def get_presence():
+            # If presence is disabled, return an empty list
+            if not self.hs.config.use_presence:
+                defer.returnValue([])
+
             states = yield presence_handler.get_states(
                 [m.user_id for m in room_members],
                 as_event=True,