diff --git a/synapse/handlers/typing.py b/synapse/handlers/typing.py

index 0eea7f8f9c..3b7818af5c 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/typing.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/typing.py
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ from synapse.types import UserID, get_domain_from_id
 import logging
 
 from collections import namedtuple
-import ujson as json
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -288,11 +287,13 @@ class TypingHandler(object):
         for room_id, serial in self._room_serials.items():
             if last_id < serial and serial <= current_id:
                 typing = self._room_typing[room_id]
-                typing_bytes = json.dumps(list(typing), ensure_ascii=False)
-                rows.append((serial, room_id, typing_bytes))
+                rows.append((serial, room_id, list(typing)))
         rows.sort()
         return rows
 
+    def get_current_token(self):
+        return self._latest_room_serial
+
 
 class TypingNotificationEventSource(object):
     def __init__(self, hs):