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-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/account_data.py4
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/account_validity.py6
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/acme.py2
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/admin.py10
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/appservice.py22
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/auth.py44
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/deactivate_account.py2
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/device.py22
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/directory.py14
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/e2e_keys.py10
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/e2e_room_keys.py8
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/events.py6
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/federation.py82
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/groups_local.py26
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/identity.py18
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/initial_sync.py54
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/message.py32
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/pagination.py14
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/presence.py54
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/profile.py18
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/receipts.py14
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/register.py16
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/room.py16
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/room_list.py10
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/room_member.py42
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/room_member_worker.py2
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/search.py14
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/state_deltas.py8
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/stats.py6
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/sync.py112
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/typing.py4
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/user_directory.py2
32 files changed, 330 insertions, 364 deletions
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/account_data.py b/synapse/handlers/account_data.py
index e62e6cab77..8acd9f9a83 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/account_data.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/account_data.py
@@ -51,8 +51,8 @@ class AccountDataEventSource(object):
                     {"type": account_data_type, "content": content, "room_id": room_id}
                 )
 
-        defer.returnValue((results, current_stream_id))
+        return (results, current_stream_id)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_pagination_rows(self, user, config, key):
-        defer.returnValue(([], config.to_id))
+        return ([], config.to_id)
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/account_validity.py b/synapse/handlers/account_validity.py
index 1f1708ba7d..930204e2d0 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/account_validity.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/account_validity.py
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ class AccountValidityHandler(object):
             if threepid["medium"] == "email":
                 addresses.append(threepid["address"])
 
-        defer.returnValue(addresses)
+        return addresses
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _get_renewal_token(self, user_id):
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ class AccountValidityHandler(object):
             try:
                 renewal_token = stringutils.random_string(32)
                 yield self.store.set_renewal_token_for_user(user_id, renewal_token)
-                defer.returnValue(renewal_token)
+                return renewal_token
             except StoreError:
                 attempts += 1
         raise StoreError(500, "Couldn't generate a unique string as refresh string.")
@@ -254,4 +254,4 @@ class AccountValidityHandler(object):
             user_id=user_id, expiration_ts=expiration_ts, email_sent=email_sent
         )
 
-        defer.returnValue(expiration_ts)
+        return expiration_ts
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/acme.py b/synapse/handlers/acme.py
index fbef2f3d38..46ac73106d 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/acme.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/acme.py
@@ -100,4 +100,4 @@ class AcmeHandler(object):
             logger.exception("Failed saving!")
             raise
 
-        defer.returnValue(True)
+        return True
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/admin.py b/synapse/handlers/admin.py
index e8a651e231..2f22f56ca4 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/admin.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/admin.py
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ class AdminHandler(BaseHandler):
             "devices": {"": {"sessions": [{"connections": connections}]}},
         }
 
-        defer.returnValue(ret)
+        return ret
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_users(self):
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ class AdminHandler(BaseHandler):
         """
         ret = yield self.store.get_users()
 
-        defer.returnValue(ret)
+        return ret
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_users_paginate(self, order, start, limit):
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ class AdminHandler(BaseHandler):
         """
         ret = yield self.store.get_users_paginate(order, start, limit)
 
-        defer.returnValue(ret)
+        return ret
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def search_users(self, term):
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ class AdminHandler(BaseHandler):
         """
         ret = yield self.store.search_users(term)
 
-        defer.returnValue(ret)
+        return ret
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def export_user_data(self, user_id, writer):
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ class AdminHandler(BaseHandler):
                 state = yield self.store.get_state_for_event(event_id)
                 writer.write_state(room_id, event_id, state)
 
-        defer.returnValue(writer.finished())
+        return writer.finished()
 
 
 class ExfiltrationWriter(object):
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/appservice.py b/synapse/handlers/appservice.py
index 8f089f0e33..d1a51df6f9 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/appservice.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/appservice.py
@@ -167,8 +167,8 @@ class ApplicationServicesHandler(object):
         for user_service in user_query_services:
             is_known_user = yield self.appservice_api.query_user(user_service, user_id)
             if is_known_user:
-                defer.returnValue(True)
-        defer.returnValue(False)
+                return True
+        return False
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def query_room_alias_exists(self, room_alias):
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ class ApplicationServicesHandler(object):
             if is_known_alias:
                 # the alias exists now so don't query more ASes.
                 result = yield self.store.get_association_from_room_alias(room_alias)
-                defer.returnValue(result)
+                return result
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def query_3pe(self, kind, protocol, fields):
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ class ApplicationServicesHandler(object):
             if success:
                 ret.extend(result)
 
-        defer.returnValue(ret)
+        return ret
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_3pe_protocols(self, only_protocol=None):
@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@ class ApplicationServicesHandler(object):
         for p in protocols.keys():
             protocols[p] = _merge_instances(protocols[p])
 
-        defer.returnValue(protocols)
+        return protocols
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _get_services_for_event(self, event):
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ class ApplicationServicesHandler(object):
             if (yield s.is_interested(event, self.store)):
                 interested_list.append(s)
 
-        defer.returnValue(interested_list)
+        return interested_list
 
     def _get_services_for_user(self, user_id):
         services = self.store.get_app_services()
@@ -293,23 +293,23 @@ class ApplicationServicesHandler(object):
         if not self.is_mine_id(user_id):
             # we don't know if they are unknown or not since it isn't one of our
             # users. We can't poke ASes.
-            defer.returnValue(False)
+            return False
             return
 
         user_info = yield self.store.get_user_by_id(user_id)
         if user_info:
-            defer.returnValue(False)
+            return False
             return
 
         # user not found; could be the AS though, so check.
         services = self.store.get_app_services()
         service_list = [s for s in services if s.sender == user_id]
-        defer.returnValue(len(service_list) == 0)
+        return len(service_list) == 0
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _check_user_exists(self, user_id):
         unknown_user = yield self._is_unknown_user(user_id)
         if unknown_user:
             exists = yield self.query_user_exists(user_id)
-            defer.returnValue(exists)
-        defer.returnValue(True)
+            return exists
+        return True
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/auth.py b/synapse/handlers/auth.py
index d4d6574975..05be5b7c48 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/auth.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/auth.py
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ class AuthHandler(BaseHandler):
         if user_id != requester.user.to_string():
             raise AuthError(403, "Invalid auth")
 
-        defer.returnValue(params)
+        return params
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def check_auth(self, flows, clientdict, clientip, password_servlet=False):
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ class AuthHandler(BaseHandler):
                     creds,
                     list(clientdict),
                 )
-                defer.returnValue((creds, clientdict, session["id"]))
+                return (creds, clientdict, session["id"])
 
         ret = self._auth_dict_for_flows(flows, session)
         ret["completed"] = list(creds)
@@ -307,8 +307,8 @@ class AuthHandler(BaseHandler):
         if result:
             creds[stagetype] = result
             self._save_session(sess)
-            defer.returnValue(True)
-        defer.returnValue(False)
+            return True
+        return False
 
     def get_session_id(self, clientdict):
         """
@@ -379,7 +379,7 @@ class AuthHandler(BaseHandler):
             res = yield checker(
                 authdict, clientip=clientip, password_servlet=password_servlet
             )
-            defer.returnValue(res)
+            return res
 
         # build a v1-login-style dict out of the authdict and fall back to the
         # v1 code
@@ -389,7 +389,7 @@ class AuthHandler(BaseHandler):
             raise SynapseError(400, "", Codes.MISSING_PARAM)
 
         (canonical_id, callback) = yield self.validate_login(user_id, authdict)
-        defer.returnValue(canonical_id)
+        return canonical_id
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _check_recaptcha(self, authdict, clientip, **kwargs):
@@ -433,7 +433,7 @@ class AuthHandler(BaseHandler):
                 resp_body.get("hostname"),
             )
             if resp_body["success"]:
-                defer.returnValue(True)
+                return True
         raise LoginError(401, "", errcode=Codes.UNAUTHORIZED)
 
     def _check_email_identity(self, authdict, **kwargs):
@@ -502,7 +502,7 @@ class AuthHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         threepid["threepid_creds"] = authdict["threepid_creds"]
 
-        defer.returnValue(threepid)
+        return threepid
 
     def _get_params_recaptcha(self):
         return {"public_key": self.hs.config.recaptcha_public_key}
@@ -606,7 +606,7 @@ class AuthHandler(BaseHandler):
                 yield self.store.delete_access_token(access_token)
                 raise StoreError(400, "Login raced against device deletion")
 
-        defer.returnValue(access_token)
+        return access_token
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def check_user_exists(self, user_id):
@@ -629,8 +629,8 @@ class AuthHandler(BaseHandler):
         self.ratelimit_login_per_account(user_id)
         res = yield self._find_user_id_and_pwd_hash(user_id)
         if res is not None:
-            defer.returnValue(res[0])
-        defer.returnValue(None)
+            return res[0]
+        return None
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _find_user_id_and_pwd_hash(self, user_id):
@@ -661,7 +661,7 @@ class AuthHandler(BaseHandler):
                 user_id,
                 user_infos.keys(),
             )
-        defer.returnValue(result)
+        return result
 
     def get_supported_login_types(self):
         """Get a the login types supported for the /login API
@@ -722,7 +722,7 @@ class AuthHandler(BaseHandler):
                 known_login_type = True
                 is_valid = yield provider.check_password(qualified_user_id, password)
                 if is_valid:
-                    defer.returnValue((qualified_user_id, None))
+                    return (qualified_user_id, None)
 
             if not hasattr(provider, "get_supported_login_types") or not hasattr(
                 provider, "check_auth"
@@ -756,7 +756,7 @@ class AuthHandler(BaseHandler):
             if result:
                 if isinstance(result, str):
                     result = (result, None)
-                defer.returnValue(result)
+                return result
 
         if login_type == LoginType.PASSWORD and self.hs.config.password_localdb_enabled:
             known_login_type = True
@@ -766,7 +766,7 @@ class AuthHandler(BaseHandler):
             )
 
             if canonical_user_id:
-                defer.returnValue((canonical_user_id, None))
+                return (canonical_user_id, None)
 
         if not known_login_type:
             raise SynapseError(400, "Unknown login type %s" % login_type)
@@ -814,9 +814,9 @@ class AuthHandler(BaseHandler):
                     if isinstance(result, str):
                         # If it's a str, set callback function to None
                         result = (result, None)
-                    defer.returnValue(result)
+                    return result
 
-        defer.returnValue((None, None))
+        return (None, None)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _check_local_password(self, user_id, password):
@@ -838,7 +838,7 @@ class AuthHandler(BaseHandler):
         """
         lookupres = yield self._find_user_id_and_pwd_hash(user_id)
         if not lookupres:
-            defer.returnValue(None)
+            return None
         (user_id, password_hash) = lookupres
 
         # If the password hash is None, the account has likely been deactivated
@@ -850,8 +850,8 @@ class AuthHandler(BaseHandler):
         result = yield self.validate_hash(password, password_hash)
         if not result:
             logger.warn("Failed password login for user %s", user_id)
-            defer.returnValue(None)
-        defer.returnValue(user_id)
+            return None
+        return user_id
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def validate_short_term_login_token_and_get_user_id(self, login_token):
@@ -865,7 +865,7 @@ class AuthHandler(BaseHandler):
             raise AuthError(403, "Invalid token", errcode=Codes.FORBIDDEN)
         self.ratelimit_login_per_account(user_id)
         yield self.auth.check_auth_blocking(user_id)
-        defer.returnValue(user_id)
+        return user_id
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def delete_access_token(self, access_token):
@@ -976,7 +976,7 @@ class AuthHandler(BaseHandler):
         )
 
         yield self.store.user_delete_threepid(user_id, medium, address)
-        defer.returnValue(result)
+        return result
 
     def _save_session(self, session):
         # TODO: Persistent storage
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/deactivate_account.py b/synapse/handlers/deactivate_account.py
index e8f9da6098..5f804d1f13 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/deactivate_account.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/deactivate_account.py
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ class DeactivateAccountHandler(BaseHandler):
         # Mark the user as deactivated.
         yield self.store.set_user_deactivated_status(user_id, True)
 
-        defer.returnValue(identity_server_supports_unbinding)
+        return identity_server_supports_unbinding
 
     def _start_user_parting(self):
         """
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/device.py b/synapse/handlers/device.py
index 99e8413092..d6ab337783 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/device.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/device.py
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ class DeviceWorkerHandler(BaseHandler):
         for device in devices:
             _update_device_from_client_ips(device, ips)
 
-        defer.returnValue(devices)
+        return devices
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_device(self, user_id, device_id):
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ class DeviceWorkerHandler(BaseHandler):
             raise errors.NotFoundError
         ips = yield self.store.get_last_client_ip_by_device(user_id, device_id)
         _update_device_from_client_ips(device, ips)
-        defer.returnValue(device)
+        return device
 
     @measure_func("device.get_user_ids_changed")
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -200,9 +200,7 @@ class DeviceWorkerHandler(BaseHandler):
             possibly_joined = []
             possibly_left = []
 
-        defer.returnValue(
-            {"changed": list(possibly_joined), "left": list(possibly_left)}
-        )
+        return {"changed": list(possibly_joined), "left": list(possibly_left)}
 
 
 class DeviceHandler(DeviceWorkerHandler):
@@ -250,7 +248,7 @@ class DeviceHandler(DeviceWorkerHandler):
             )
             if new_device:
                 yield self.notify_device_update(user_id, [device_id])
-            defer.returnValue(device_id)
+            return device_id
 
         # if the device id is not specified, we'll autogen one, but loop a few
         # times in case of a clash.
@@ -264,7 +262,7 @@ class DeviceHandler(DeviceWorkerHandler):
             )
             if new_device:
                 yield self.notify_device_update(user_id, [device_id])
-                defer.returnValue(device_id)
+                return device_id
             attempts += 1
 
         raise errors.StoreError(500, "Couldn't generate a device ID.")
@@ -411,9 +409,7 @@ class DeviceHandler(DeviceWorkerHandler):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_federation_query_user_devices(self, user_id):
         stream_id, devices = yield self.store.get_devices_with_keys_by_user(user_id)
-        defer.returnValue(
-            {"user_id": user_id, "stream_id": stream_id, "devices": devices}
-        )
+        return {"user_id": user_id, "stream_id": stream_id, "devices": devices}
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def user_left_room(self, user, room_id):
@@ -623,7 +619,7 @@ class DeviceListEduUpdater(object):
         for _, stream_id, prev_ids, _ in updates:
             if not prev_ids:
                 # We always do a resync if there are no previous IDs
-                defer.returnValue(True)
+                return True
 
             for prev_id in prev_ids:
                 if prev_id == extremity:
@@ -633,8 +629,8 @@ class DeviceListEduUpdater(object):
                 elif prev_id in stream_id_in_updates:
                     continue
                 else:
-                    defer.returnValue(True)
+                    return True
 
             stream_id_in_updates.add(stream_id)
 
-        defer.returnValue(False)
+        return False
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/directory.py b/synapse/handlers/directory.py
index 42d5b3db30..0fd423197c 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/directory.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/directory.py
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ class DirectoryHandler(BaseHandler):
         except AuthError as e:
             logger.info("Failed to update alias events: %s", e)
 
-        defer.returnValue(room_id)
+        return room_id
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def delete_appservice_association(self, service, room_alias):
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ class DirectoryHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         room_id = yield self.store.delete_room_alias(room_alias)
 
-        defer.returnValue(room_id)
+        return room_id
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_association(self, room_alias):
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@ class DirectoryHandler(BaseHandler):
         else:
             servers = list(servers)
 
-        defer.returnValue({"room_id": room_id, "servers": servers})
+        return {"room_id": room_id, "servers": servers}
         return
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ class DirectoryHandler(BaseHandler):
         result = yield self.get_association_from_room_alias(room_alias)
 
         if result is not None:
-            defer.returnValue({"room_id": result.room_id, "servers": result.servers})
+            return {"room_id": result.room_id, "servers": result.servers}
         else:
             raise SynapseError(
                 404,
@@ -342,7 +342,7 @@ class DirectoryHandler(BaseHandler):
             # Query AS to see if it exists
             as_handler = self.appservice_handler
             result = yield as_handler.query_room_alias_exists(room_alias)
-        defer.returnValue(result)
+        return result
 
     def can_modify_alias(self, alias, user_id=None):
         # Any application service "interested" in an alias they are regexing on
@@ -369,10 +369,10 @@ class DirectoryHandler(BaseHandler):
         creator = yield self.store.get_room_alias_creator(alias.to_string())
 
         if creator is not None and creator == user_id:
-            defer.returnValue(True)
+            return True
 
         is_admin = yield self.auth.is_server_admin(UserID.from_string(user_id))
-        defer.returnValue(is_admin)
+        return is_admin
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def edit_published_room_list(self, requester, room_id, visibility):
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/e2e_keys.py b/synapse/handlers/e2e_keys.py
index fdfe8611b6..1300b540e3 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/e2e_keys.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/e2e_keys.py
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ class E2eKeysHandler(object):
             )
         )
 
-        defer.returnValue({"device_keys": results, "failures": failures})
+        return {"device_keys": results, "failures": failures}
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def query_local_devices(self, query):
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ class E2eKeysHandler(object):
                     r["unsigned"]["device_display_name"] = display_name
                 result_dict[user_id][device_id] = r
 
-        defer.returnValue(result_dict)
+        return result_dict
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_federation_query_client_keys(self, query_body):
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ class E2eKeysHandler(object):
         """
         device_keys_query = query_body.get("device_keys", {})
         res = yield self.query_local_devices(device_keys_query)
-        defer.returnValue({"device_keys": res})
+        return {"device_keys": res}
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def claim_one_time_keys(self, query, timeout):
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ class E2eKeysHandler(object):
             ),
         )
 
-        defer.returnValue({"one_time_keys": json_result, "failures": failures})
+        return {"one_time_keys": json_result, "failures": failures}
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def upload_keys_for_user(self, user_id, device_id, keys):
@@ -297,7 +297,7 @@ class E2eKeysHandler(object):
 
         result = yield self.store.count_e2e_one_time_keys(user_id, device_id)
 
-        defer.returnValue({"one_time_key_counts": result})
+        return {"one_time_key_counts": result}
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _upload_one_time_keys_for_user(
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/e2e_room_keys.py b/synapse/handlers/e2e_room_keys.py
index ebd807bca6..41b871fc59 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/e2e_room_keys.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/e2e_room_keys.py
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ class E2eRoomKeysHandler(object):
                 user_id, version, room_id, session_id
             )
 
-            defer.returnValue(results)
+            return results
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def delete_room_keys(self, user_id, version, room_id=None, session_id=None):
@@ -262,7 +262,7 @@ class E2eRoomKeysHandler(object):
             new_version = yield self.store.create_e2e_room_keys_version(
                 user_id, version_info
             )
-            defer.returnValue(new_version)
+            return new_version
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_version_info(self, user_id, version=None):
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ class E2eRoomKeysHandler(object):
                     raise NotFoundError("Unknown backup version")
                 else:
                     raise
-            defer.returnValue(res)
+            return res
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def delete_version(self, user_id, version=None):
@@ -350,4 +350,4 @@ class E2eRoomKeysHandler(object):
                 user_id, version, version_info
             )
 
-            defer.returnValue({})
+            return {}
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/events.py b/synapse/handlers/events.py
index 6a38328af3..2f1f10a9af 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/events.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/events.py
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ class EventStreamHandler(BaseHandler):
                 "end": tokens[1].to_string(),
             }
 
-            defer.returnValue(chunk)
+            return chunk
 
 
 class EventHandler(BaseHandler):
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ class EventHandler(BaseHandler):
         event = yield self.store.get_event(event_id, check_room_id=room_id)
 
         if not event:
-            defer.returnValue(None)
+            return None
             return
 
         users = yield self.store.get_users_in_room(event.room_id)
@@ -179,4 +179,4 @@ class EventHandler(BaseHandler):
         if not filtered:
             raise AuthError(403, "You don't have permission to access that event.")
 
-        defer.returnValue(event)
+        return event
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/federation.py b/synapse/handlers/federation.py
index 57be968c67..2aa208a2b8 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/federation.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/federation.py
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
                 event_id,
                 origin,
             )
-            defer.returnValue(None)
+            return None
 
         state = None
         auth_chain = []
@@ -676,7 +676,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
         events = [e for e in events if e.event_id not in seen_events]
 
         if not events:
-            defer.returnValue([])
+            return []
 
         event_map = {e.event_id: e for e in events}
 
@@ -838,7 +838,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
             # TODO: We can probably do something more clever here.
             yield self._handle_new_event(dest, event, backfilled=True)
 
-        defer.returnValue(events)
+        return events
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def maybe_backfill(self, room_id, current_depth):
@@ -894,7 +894,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
         )
 
         if not filtered_extremities:
-            defer.returnValue(False)
+            return False
 
         # Check if we reached a point where we should start backfilling.
         sorted_extremeties_tuple = sorted(extremities.items(), key=lambda e: -int(e[1]))
@@ -965,7 +965,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
                     # If this succeeded then we probably already have the
                     # appropriate stuff.
                     # TODO: We can probably do something more intelligent here.
-                    defer.returnValue(True)
+                    return True
                 except SynapseError as e:
                     logger.info("Failed to backfill from %s because %s", dom, e)
                     continue
@@ -985,11 +985,11 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
                     logger.exception("Failed to backfill from %s because %s", dom, e)
                     continue
 
-            defer.returnValue(False)
+            return False
 
         success = yield try_backfill(likely_domains)
         if success:
-            defer.returnValue(True)
+            return True
 
         # Huh, well *those* domains didn't work out. Lets try some domains
         # from the time.
@@ -1031,11 +1031,11 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
                 [dom for dom, _ in likely_domains if dom not in tried_domains]
             )
             if success:
-                defer.returnValue(True)
+                return True
 
             tried_domains.update(dom for dom, _ in likely_domains)
 
-        defer.returnValue(False)
+        return False
 
     def _sanity_check_event(self, ev):
         """
@@ -1082,7 +1082,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
             pdu=event,
         )
 
-        defer.returnValue(pdu)
+        return pdu
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_event_auth(self, event_id):
@@ -1090,7 +1090,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
         auth = yield self.store.get_auth_chain(
             [auth_id for auth_id in event.auth_event_ids()], include_given=True
         )
-        defer.returnValue([e for e in auth])
+        return [e for e in auth]
 
     @log_function
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -1177,7 +1177,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
 
             run_in_background(self._handle_queued_pdus, room_queue)
 
-        defer.returnValue(True)
+        return True
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _handle_queued_pdus(self, room_queue):
@@ -1247,7 +1247,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
             room_version, event, context, do_sig_check=False
         )
 
-        defer.returnValue(event)
+        return event
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     @log_function
@@ -1308,7 +1308,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         state = yield self.store.get_events(list(prev_state_ids.values()))
 
-        defer.returnValue({"state": list(state.values()), "auth_chain": auth_chain})
+        return {"state": list(state.values()), "auth_chain": auth_chain}
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_invite_request(self, origin, pdu):
@@ -1364,7 +1364,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
         context = yield self.state_handler.compute_event_context(event)
         yield self.persist_events_and_notify([(event, context)])
 
-        defer.returnValue(event)
+        return event
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def do_remotely_reject_invite(self, target_hosts, room_id, user_id):
@@ -1389,7 +1389,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
         context = yield self.state_handler.compute_event_context(event)
         yield self.persist_events_and_notify([(event, context)])
 
-        defer.returnValue(event)
+        return event
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _make_and_verify_event(
@@ -1407,7 +1407,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
         assert event.user_id == user_id
         assert event.state_key == user_id
         assert event.room_id == room_id
-        defer.returnValue((origin, event, format_ver))
+        return (origin, event, format_ver)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     @log_function
@@ -1451,7 +1451,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
             logger.warn("Failed to create new leave %r because %s", event, e)
             raise e
 
-        defer.returnValue(event)
+        return event
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     @log_function
@@ -1484,7 +1484,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
             event.signatures,
         )
 
-        defer.returnValue(None)
+        return None
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_state_for_pdu(self, room_id, event_id):
@@ -1512,9 +1512,9 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
                     del results[(event.type, event.state_key)]
 
             res = list(results.values())
-            defer.returnValue(res)
+            return res
         else:
-            defer.returnValue([])
+            return []
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_state_ids_for_pdu(self, room_id, event_id):
@@ -1539,9 +1539,9 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
                 else:
                     results.pop((event.type, event.state_key), None)
 
-            defer.returnValue(list(results.values()))
+            return list(results.values())
         else:
-            defer.returnValue([])
+            return []
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     @log_function
@@ -1554,7 +1554,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         events = yield filter_events_for_server(self.store, origin, events)
 
-        defer.returnValue(events)
+        return events
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     @log_function
@@ -1584,9 +1584,9 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
 
             events = yield filter_events_for_server(self.store, origin, [event])
             event = events[0]
-            defer.returnValue(event)
+            return event
         else:
-            defer.returnValue(None)
+            return None
 
     def get_min_depth_for_context(self, context):
         return self.store.get_min_depth(context)
@@ -1618,7 +1618,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
                     self.store.remove_push_actions_from_staging, event.event_id
                 )
 
-        defer.returnValue(context)
+        return context
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _handle_new_events(self, origin, event_infos, backfilled=False):
@@ -1641,7 +1641,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
                     auth_events=ev_info.get("auth_events"),
                     backfilled=backfilled,
                 )
-            defer.returnValue(res)
+            return res
 
         contexts = yield make_deferred_yieldable(
             defer.gatherResults(
@@ -1800,7 +1800,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
         if event.type == EventTypes.GuestAccess and not context.rejected:
             yield self.maybe_kick_guest_users(event)
 
-        defer.returnValue(context)
+        return context
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _check_for_soft_fail(self, event, state, backfilled):
@@ -1919,7 +1919,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         logger.debug("on_query_auth returning: %s", ret)
 
-        defer.returnValue(ret)
+        return ret
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_get_missing_events(
@@ -1942,7 +1942,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
             self.store, origin, missing_events
         )
 
-        defer.returnValue(missing_events)
+        return missing_events
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     @log_function
@@ -2418,16 +2418,14 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         logger.debug("construct_auth_difference returning")
 
-        defer.returnValue(
-            {
-                "auth_chain": local_auth,
-                "rejects": {
-                    e.event_id: {"reason": reason_map[e.event_id], "proof": None}
-                    for e in base_remote_rejected
-                },
-                "missing": [e.event_id for e in missing_locals],
-            }
-        )
+        return {
+            "auth_chain": local_auth,
+            "rejects": {
+                e.event_id: {"reason": reason_map[e.event_id], "proof": None}
+                for e in base_remote_rejected
+            },
+            "missing": [e.event_id for e in missing_locals],
+        }
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     @log_function
@@ -2575,7 +2573,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
             builder=builder
         )
         EventValidator().validate_new(event)
-        defer.returnValue((event, context))
+        return (event, context)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _check_signature(self, event, context):
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/groups_local.py b/synapse/handlers/groups_local.py
index 7da63bb643..7b67c8ae0f 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/groups_local.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/groups_local.py
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ class GroupsLocalHandler(object):
 
         res.setdefault("user", {})["is_publicised"] = is_publicised
 
-        defer.returnValue(res)
+        return res
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def create_group(self, group_id, user_id, content):
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ class GroupsLocalHandler(object):
         )
         self.notifier.on_new_event("groups_key", token, users=[user_id])
 
-        defer.returnValue(res)
+        return res
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_users_in_group(self, group_id, requester_user_id):
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ class GroupsLocalHandler(object):
             res = yield self.groups_server_handler.get_users_in_group(
                 group_id, requester_user_id
             )
-            defer.returnValue(res)
+            return res
 
         group_server_name = get_domain_from_id(group_id)
 
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ class GroupsLocalHandler(object):
 
         res["chunk"] = valid_entries
 
-        defer.returnValue(res)
+        return res
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def join_group(self, group_id, user_id, content):
@@ -285,7 +285,7 @@ class GroupsLocalHandler(object):
         )
         self.notifier.on_new_event("groups_key", token, users=[user_id])
 
-        defer.returnValue({})
+        return {}
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def accept_invite(self, group_id, user_id, content):
@@ -326,7 +326,7 @@ class GroupsLocalHandler(object):
         )
         self.notifier.on_new_event("groups_key", token, users=[user_id])
 
-        defer.returnValue({})
+        return {}
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def invite(self, group_id, user_id, requester_user_id, config):
@@ -346,7 +346,7 @@ class GroupsLocalHandler(object):
                 content,
             )
 
-        defer.returnValue(res)
+        return res
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_invite(self, group_id, user_id, content):
@@ -377,7 +377,7 @@ class GroupsLocalHandler(object):
             logger.warn("No profile for user %s: %s", user_id, e)
             user_profile = {}
 
-        defer.returnValue({"state": "invite", "user_profile": user_profile})
+        return {"state": "invite", "user_profile": user_profile}
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def remove_user_from_group(self, group_id, user_id, requester_user_id, content):
@@ -406,7 +406,7 @@ class GroupsLocalHandler(object):
                 content,
             )
 
-        defer.returnValue(res)
+        return res
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def user_removed_from_group(self, group_id, user_id, content):
@@ -421,7 +421,7 @@ class GroupsLocalHandler(object):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_joined_groups(self, user_id):
         group_ids = yield self.store.get_joined_groups(user_id)
-        defer.returnValue({"groups": group_ids})
+        return {"groups": group_ids}
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_publicised_groups_for_user(self, user_id):
@@ -433,14 +433,14 @@ class GroupsLocalHandler(object):
             for app_service in self.store.get_app_services():
                 result.extend(app_service.get_groups_for_user(user_id))
 
-            defer.returnValue({"groups": result})
+            return {"groups": result}
         else:
             bulk_result = yield self.transport_client.bulk_get_publicised_groups(
                 get_domain_from_id(user_id), [user_id]
             )
             result = bulk_result.get("users", {}).get(user_id)
             # TODO: Verify attestations
-            defer.returnValue({"groups": result})
+            return {"groups": result}
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def bulk_get_publicised_groups(self, user_ids, proxy=True):
@@ -475,4 +475,4 @@ class GroupsLocalHandler(object):
             for app_service in self.store.get_app_services():
                 results[uid].extend(app_service.get_groups_for_user(uid))
 
-        defer.returnValue({"users": results})
+        return {"users": results}
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/identity.py b/synapse/handlers/identity.py
index 546d6169e9..d199521b58 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/identity.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/identity.py
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ class IdentityHandler(BaseHandler):
                 "%s is not a trusted ID server: rejecting 3pid " + "credentials",
                 id_server,
             )
-            defer.returnValue(None)
+            return None
 
         try:
             data = yield self.http_client.get_json(
@@ -95,8 +95,8 @@ class IdentityHandler(BaseHandler):
             raise e.to_synapse_error()
 
         if "medium" in data:
-            defer.returnValue(data)
-        defer.returnValue(None)
+            return data
+        return None
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def bind_threepid(self, creds, mxid):
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ class IdentityHandler(BaseHandler):
             )
         except CodeMessageException as e:
             data = json.loads(e.msg)  # XXX WAT?
-        defer.returnValue(data)
+        return data
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def try_unbind_threepid(self, mxid, threepid):
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ class IdentityHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         # We don't know where to unbind, so we don't have a choice but to return
         if not id_servers:
-            defer.returnValue(False)
+            return False
 
         changed = True
         for id_server in id_servers:
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ class IdentityHandler(BaseHandler):
                 mxid, threepid, id_server
             )
 
-        defer.returnValue(changed)
+        return changed
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def try_unbind_threepid_with_id_server(self, mxid, threepid, id_server):
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ class IdentityHandler(BaseHandler):
             id_server=id_server,
         )
 
-        defer.returnValue(changed)
+        return changed
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def requestEmailToken(
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ class IdentityHandler(BaseHandler):
                 % (id_server, "/_matrix/identity/api/v1/validate/email/requestToken"),
                 params,
             )
-            defer.returnValue(data)
+            return data
         except HttpResponseException as e:
             logger.info("Proxied requestToken failed: %r", e)
             raise e.to_synapse_error()
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ class IdentityHandler(BaseHandler):
                 % (id_server, "/_matrix/identity/api/v1/validate/msisdn/requestToken"),
                 params,
             )
-            defer.returnValue(data)
+            return data
         except HttpResponseException as e:
             logger.info("Proxied requestToken failed: %r", e)
             raise e.to_synapse_error()
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/initial_sync.py b/synapse/handlers/initial_sync.py
index 54c966c8a6..42d6650ed9 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/initial_sync.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/initial_sync.py
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ class InitialSyncHandler(BaseHandler):
             "end": now_token.to_string(),
         }
 
-        defer.returnValue(ret)
+        return ret
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def room_initial_sync(self, requester, room_id, pagin_config=None):
@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@ class InitialSyncHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         result["account_data"] = account_data_events
 
-        defer.returnValue(result)
+        return result
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _room_initial_sync_parted(
@@ -330,28 +330,24 @@ class InitialSyncHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         time_now = self.clock.time_msec()
 
-        defer.returnValue(
-            {
-                "membership": membership,
-                "room_id": room_id,
-                "messages": {
-                    "chunk": (
-                        yield self._event_serializer.serialize_events(
-                            messages, time_now
-                        )
-                    ),
-                    "start": start_token.to_string(),
-                    "end": end_token.to_string(),
-                },
-                "state": (
-                    yield self._event_serializer.serialize_events(
-                        room_state.values(), time_now
-                    )
+        return {
+            "membership": membership,
+            "room_id": room_id,
+            "messages": {
+                "chunk": (
+                    yield self._event_serializer.serialize_events(messages, time_now)
                 ),
-                "presence": [],
-                "receipts": [],
-            }
-        )
+                "start": start_token.to_string(),
+                "end": end_token.to_string(),
+            },
+            "state": (
+                yield self._event_serializer.serialize_events(
+                    room_state.values(), time_now
+                )
+            ),
+            "presence": [],
+            "receipts": [],
+        }
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _room_initial_sync_joined(
@@ -384,13 +380,13 @@ class InitialSyncHandler(BaseHandler):
         def get_presence():
             # If presence is disabled, return an empty list
             if not self.hs.config.use_presence:
-                defer.returnValue([])
+                return []
 
             states = yield presence_handler.get_states(
                 [m.user_id for m in room_members], as_event=True
             )
 
-            defer.returnValue(states)
+            return states
 
         @defer.inlineCallbacks
         def get_receipts():
@@ -399,7 +395,7 @@ class InitialSyncHandler(BaseHandler):
             )
             if not receipts:
                 receipts = []
-            defer.returnValue(receipts)
+            return receipts
 
         presence, receipts, (messages, token) = yield make_deferred_yieldable(
             defer.gatherResults(
@@ -442,7 +438,7 @@ class InitialSyncHandler(BaseHandler):
         if not is_peeking:
             ret["membership"] = membership
 
-        defer.returnValue(ret)
+        return ret
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _check_in_room_or_world_readable(self, room_id, user_id):
@@ -453,7 +449,7 @@ class InitialSyncHandler(BaseHandler):
             #  * The user is a guest user, and has joined the room
             # else it will throw.
             member_event = yield self.auth.check_user_was_in_room(room_id, user_id)
-            defer.returnValue((member_event.membership, member_event.event_id))
+            return (member_event.membership, member_event.event_id)
             return
         except AuthError:
             visibility = yield self.state_handler.get_current_state(
@@ -463,7 +459,7 @@ class InitialSyncHandler(BaseHandler):
                 visibility
                 and visibility.content["history_visibility"] == "world_readable"
             ):
-                defer.returnValue((Membership.JOIN, None))
+                return (Membership.JOIN, None)
                 return
             raise AuthError(
                 403, "Guest access not allowed", errcode=Codes.GUEST_ACCESS_FORBIDDEN
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/message.py b/synapse/handlers/message.py
index 6d7a987f13..8b27e23378 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/message.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/message.py
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ class MessageHandler(object):
             )
             data = room_state[membership_event_id].get(key)
 
-        defer.returnValue(data)
+        return data
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_state_events(
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ class MessageHandler(object):
             # events, as clients won't use them.
             bundle_aggregations=False,
         )
-        defer.returnValue(events)
+        return events
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_joined_members(self, requester, room_id):
@@ -213,15 +213,13 @@ class MessageHandler(object):
                 # Loop fell through, AS has no interested users in room
                 raise AuthError(403, "Appservice not in room")
 
-        defer.returnValue(
-            {
-                user_id: {
-                    "avatar_url": profile.avatar_url,
-                    "display_name": profile.display_name,
-                }
-                for user_id, profile in iteritems(users_with_profile)
+        return {
+            user_id: {
+                "avatar_url": profile.avatar_url,
+                "display_name": profile.display_name,
             }
-        )
+            for user_id, profile in iteritems(users_with_profile)
+        }
 
 
 class EventCreationHandler(object):
@@ -398,7 +396,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
 
         self.validator.validate_new(event)
 
-        defer.returnValue((event, context))
+        return (event, context)
 
     def _is_exempt_from_privacy_policy(self, builder, requester):
         """"Determine if an event to be sent is exempt from having to consent
@@ -425,9 +423,9 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _is_server_notices_room(self, room_id):
         if self.config.server_notices_mxid is None:
-            defer.returnValue(False)
+            return False
         user_ids = yield self.store.get_users_in_room(room_id)
-        defer.returnValue(self.config.server_notices_mxid in user_ids)
+        return self.config.server_notices_mxid in user_ids
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def assert_accepted_privacy_policy(self, requester):
@@ -507,7 +505,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
                     event.event_id,
                     prev_state.event_id,
                 )
-                defer.returnValue(prev_state)
+                return prev_state
 
         yield self.handle_new_client_event(
             requester=requester, event=event, context=context, ratelimit=ratelimit
@@ -531,7 +529,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
             prev_content = encode_canonical_json(prev_event.content)
             next_content = encode_canonical_json(event.content)
             if prev_content == next_content:
-                defer.returnValue(prev_event)
+                return prev_event
         return
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -563,7 +561,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
             yield self.send_nonmember_event(
                 requester, event, context, ratelimit=ratelimit
             )
-        defer.returnValue(event)
+        return event
 
     @measure_func("create_new_client_event")
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -626,7 +624,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
 
         logger.debug("Created event %s", event.event_id)
 
-        defer.returnValue((event, context))
+        return (event, context)
 
     @measure_func("handle_new_client_event")
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/pagination.py b/synapse/handlers/pagination.py
index 20bcfed334..d83aab3f74 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/pagination.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/pagination.py
@@ -242,13 +242,11 @@ class PaginationHandler(object):
             )
 
         if not events:
-            defer.returnValue(
-                {
-                    "chunk": [],
-                    "start": pagin_config.from_token.to_string(),
-                    "end": next_token.to_string(),
-                }
-            )
+            return {
+                "chunk": [],
+                "start": pagin_config.from_token.to_string(),
+                "end": next_token.to_string(),
+            }
 
         state = None
         if event_filter and event_filter.lazy_load_members() and len(events) > 0:
@@ -286,4 +284,4 @@ class PaginationHandler(object):
                 )
             )
 
-        defer.returnValue(chunk)
+        return chunk
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/presence.py b/synapse/handlers/presence.py
index 6f3537e435..ea54d0b991 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/presence.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/presence.py
@@ -461,7 +461,7 @@ class PresenceHandler(object):
                 if affect_presence:
                     run_in_background(_end)
 
-        defer.returnValue(_user_syncing())
+        return _user_syncing()
 
     def get_currently_syncing_users(self):
         """Get the set of user ids that are currently syncing on this HS.
@@ -556,7 +556,7 @@ class PresenceHandler(object):
         """Get the current presence state for a user.
         """
         res = yield self.current_state_for_users([user_id])
-        defer.returnValue(res[user_id])
+        return res[user_id]
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def current_state_for_users(self, user_ids):
@@ -585,7 +585,7 @@ class PresenceHandler(object):
                 states.update(new)
                 self.user_to_current_state.update(new)
 
-        defer.returnValue(states)
+        return states
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _persist_and_notify(self, states):
@@ -681,7 +681,7 @@ class PresenceHandler(object):
     def get_state(self, target_user, as_event=False):
         results = yield self.get_states([target_user.to_string()], as_event=as_event)
 
-        defer.returnValue(results[0])
+        return results[0]
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_states(self, target_user_ids, as_event=False):
@@ -703,17 +703,15 @@ class PresenceHandler(object):
 
         now = self.clock.time_msec()
         if as_event:
-            defer.returnValue(
-                [
-                    {
-                        "type": "m.presence",
-                        "content": format_user_presence_state(state, now),
-                    }
-                    for state in updates
-                ]
-            )
+            return [
+                {
+                    "type": "m.presence",
+                    "content": format_user_presence_state(state, now),
+                }
+                for state in updates
+            ]
         else:
-            defer.returnValue(updates)
+            return updates
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def set_state(self, target_user, state, ignore_status_msg=False):
@@ -757,9 +755,9 @@ class PresenceHandler(object):
         )
 
         if observer_room_ids & observed_room_ids:
-            defer.returnValue(True)
+            return True
 
-        defer.returnValue(False)
+        return False
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_all_presence_updates(self, last_id, current_id):
@@ -778,7 +776,7 @@ class PresenceHandler(object):
         # TODO(markjh): replicate the unpersisted changes.
         # This could use the in-memory stores for recent changes.
         rows = yield self.store.get_all_presence_updates(last_id, current_id)
-        defer.returnValue(rows)
+        return rows
 
     def notify_new_event(self):
         """Called when new events have happened. Handles users and servers
@@ -1034,7 +1032,7 @@ class PresenceEventSource(object):
                 #
                 # Hence this guard where we just return nothing so that the sync
                 # doesn't return. C.f. #5503.
-                defer.returnValue(([], max_token))
+                return ([], max_token)
 
             presence = self.get_presence_handler()
             stream_change_cache = self.store.presence_stream_cache
@@ -1068,17 +1066,11 @@ class PresenceEventSource(object):
             updates = yield presence.current_state_for_users(user_ids_changed)
 
         if include_offline:
-            defer.returnValue((list(updates.values()), max_token))
+            return (list(updates.values()), max_token)
         else:
-            defer.returnValue(
-                (
-                    [
-                        s
-                        for s in itervalues(updates)
-                        if s.state != PresenceState.OFFLINE
-                    ],
-                    max_token,
-                )
+            return (
+                [s for s in itervalues(updates) if s.state != PresenceState.OFFLINE],
+                max_token,
             )
 
     def get_current_key(self):
@@ -1107,7 +1099,7 @@ class PresenceEventSource(object):
             )
             users_interested_in.update(user_ids)
 
-        defer.returnValue(users_interested_in)
+        return users_interested_in
 
 
 def handle_timeouts(user_states, is_mine_fn, syncing_user_ids, now):
@@ -1287,7 +1279,7 @@ def get_interested_parties(store, states):
         # Always notify self
         users_to_states.setdefault(state.user_id, []).append(state)
 
-    defer.returnValue((room_ids_to_states, users_to_states))
+    return (room_ids_to_states, users_to_states)
 
 
 @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -1321,4 +1313,4 @@ def get_interested_remotes(store, states, state_handler):
         host = get_domain_from_id(user_id)
         hosts_and_states.append(([host], states))
 
-    defer.returnValue(hosts_and_states)
+    return hosts_and_states
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/profile.py b/synapse/handlers/profile.py
index a2388a7091..2cc237e6a5 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/profile.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/profile.py
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ class BaseProfileHandler(BaseHandler):
                     raise SynapseError(404, "Profile was not found", Codes.NOT_FOUND)
                 raise
 
-            defer.returnValue({"displayname": displayname, "avatar_url": avatar_url})
+            return {"displayname": displayname, "avatar_url": avatar_url}
         else:
             try:
                 result = yield self.federation.make_query(
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ class BaseProfileHandler(BaseHandler):
                     args={"user_id": user_id},
                     ignore_backoff=True,
                 )
-                defer.returnValue(result)
+                return result
             except RequestSendFailed as e:
                 raise_from(SynapseError(502, "Failed to fetch profile"), e)
             except HttpResponseException as e:
@@ -108,10 +108,10 @@ class BaseProfileHandler(BaseHandler):
                     raise SynapseError(404, "Profile was not found", Codes.NOT_FOUND)
                 raise
 
-            defer.returnValue({"displayname": displayname, "avatar_url": avatar_url})
+            return {"displayname": displayname, "avatar_url": avatar_url}
         else:
             profile = yield self.store.get_from_remote_profile_cache(user_id)
-            defer.returnValue(profile or {})
+            return profile or {}
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_displayname(self, target_user):
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ class BaseProfileHandler(BaseHandler):
                     raise SynapseError(404, "Profile was not found", Codes.NOT_FOUND)
                 raise
 
-            defer.returnValue(displayname)
+            return displayname
         else:
             try:
                 result = yield self.federation.make_query(
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ class BaseProfileHandler(BaseHandler):
             except HttpResponseException as e:
                 raise e.to_synapse_error()
 
-            defer.returnValue(result["displayname"])
+            return result["displayname"]
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def set_displayname(self, target_user, requester, new_displayname, by_admin=False):
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ class BaseProfileHandler(BaseHandler):
                 if e.code == 404:
                     raise SynapseError(404, "Profile was not found", Codes.NOT_FOUND)
                 raise
-            defer.returnValue(avatar_url)
+            return avatar_url
         else:
             try:
                 result = yield self.federation.make_query(
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ class BaseProfileHandler(BaseHandler):
             except HttpResponseException as e:
                 raise e.to_synapse_error()
 
-            defer.returnValue(result["avatar_url"])
+            return result["avatar_url"]
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def set_avatar_url(self, target_user, requester, new_avatar_url, by_admin=False):
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ class BaseProfileHandler(BaseHandler):
                 raise SynapseError(404, "Profile was not found", Codes.NOT_FOUND)
             raise
 
-        defer.returnValue(response)
+        return response
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _update_join_states(self, requester, target_user):
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/receipts.py b/synapse/handlers/receipts.py
index a85dd8cdee..218d60f0c3 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/receipts.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/receipts.py
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ class ReceiptsHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         if min_batch_id is None:
             # no new receipts
-            defer.returnValue(False)
+            return False
 
         affected_room_ids = list(set([r.room_id for r in receipts]))
 
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ class ReceiptsHandler(BaseHandler):
             min_batch_id, max_batch_id, affected_room_ids
         )
 
-        defer.returnValue(True)
+        return True
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def received_client_receipt(self, room_id, receipt_type, user_id, event_id):
@@ -124,9 +124,9 @@ class ReceiptsHandler(BaseHandler):
         )
 
         if not result:
-            defer.returnValue([])
+            return []
 
-        defer.returnValue(result)
+        return result
 
 
 class ReceiptEventSource(object):
@@ -139,13 +139,13 @@ class ReceiptEventSource(object):
         to_key = yield self.get_current_key()
 
         if from_key == to_key:
-            defer.returnValue(([], to_key))
+            return ([], to_key)
 
         events = yield self.store.get_linearized_receipts_for_rooms(
             room_ids, from_key=from_key, to_key=to_key
         )
 
-        defer.returnValue((events, to_key))
+        return (events, to_key)
 
     def get_current_key(self, direction="f"):
         return self.store.get_max_receipt_stream_id()
@@ -164,4 +164,4 @@ class ReceiptEventSource(object):
             room_ids, from_key=from_key, to_key=to_key
         )
 
-        defer.returnValue((events, to_key))
+        return (events, to_key)
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/register.py b/synapse/handlers/register.py
index bb7cfd71b9..4631fab94e 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/register.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/register.py
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ class RegistrationHandler(BaseHandler):
             # Bind email to new account
             yield self._register_email_threepid(user_id, threepid_dict, None, False)
 
-        defer.returnValue(user_id)
+        return user_id
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _auto_join_rooms(self, user_id):
@@ -360,7 +360,7 @@ class RegistrationHandler(BaseHandler):
             appservice_id=service_id,
             create_profile_with_displayname=user.localpart,
         )
-        defer.returnValue(user_id)
+        return user_id
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def check_recaptcha(self, ip, private_key, challenge, response):
@@ -461,7 +461,7 @@ class RegistrationHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         id = self._next_generated_user_id
         self._next_generated_user_id += 1
-        defer.returnValue(str(id))
+        return str(id)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _validate_captcha(self, ip_addr, private_key, challenge, response):
@@ -481,7 +481,7 @@ class RegistrationHandler(BaseHandler):
             "error_url": "http://www.recaptcha.net/recaptcha/api/challenge?"
             + "error=%s" % lines[1],
         }
-        defer.returnValue(json)
+        return json
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _submit_captcha(self, ip_addr, private_key, challenge, response):
@@ -497,7 +497,7 @@ class RegistrationHandler(BaseHandler):
                 "response": response,
             },
         )
-        defer.returnValue(data)
+        return data
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _join_user_to_room(self, requester, room_identifier):
@@ -622,7 +622,7 @@ class RegistrationHandler(BaseHandler):
                 initial_display_name=initial_display_name,
                 is_guest=is_guest,
             )
-            defer.returnValue((r["device_id"], r["access_token"]))
+            return (r["device_id"], r["access_token"])
 
         valid_until_ms = None
         if self.session_lifetime is not None:
@@ -645,7 +645,7 @@ class RegistrationHandler(BaseHandler):
                 user_id, device_id=device_id, valid_until_ms=valid_until_ms
             )
 
-        defer.returnValue((device_id, access_token))
+        return (device_id, access_token)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def post_registration_actions(
@@ -798,7 +798,7 @@ class RegistrationHandler(BaseHandler):
             if ex.errcode == Codes.MISSING_PARAM:
                 # This will only happen if the ID server returns a malformed response
                 logger.info("Can't add incomplete 3pid")
-                defer.returnValue(None)
+                return None
             raise
 
         yield self._auth_handler.add_threepid(
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/room.py b/synapse/handlers/room.py
index db3f8cb76b..5caa90c3b7 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/room.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/room.py
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
             old_room_id,
             new_version,  # args for _upgrade_room
         )
-        defer.returnValue(ret)
+        return ret
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _upgrade_room(self, requester, old_room_id, new_version):
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
             requester, old_room_id, new_room_id, old_room_state
         )
 
-        defer.returnValue(new_room_id)
+        return new_room_id
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _update_upgraded_room_pls(
@@ -671,7 +671,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
             result["room_alias"] = room_alias.to_string()
             yield directory_handler.send_room_alias_update_event(requester, room_id)
 
-        defer.returnValue(result)
+        return result
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _send_events_for_new_room(
@@ -796,7 +796,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
                     room_creator_user_id=creator_id,
                     is_public=is_public,
                 )
-                defer.returnValue(gen_room_id)
+                return gen_room_id
             except StoreError:
                 attempts += 1
         raise StoreError(500, "Couldn't generate a room ID.")
@@ -839,7 +839,7 @@ class RoomContextHandler(object):
             event_id, get_prev_content=True, allow_none=True
         )
         if not event:
-            defer.returnValue(None)
+            return None
             return
 
         filtered = yield (filter_evts([event]))
@@ -890,7 +890,7 @@ class RoomContextHandler(object):
 
         results["end"] = token.copy_and_replace("room_key", results["end"]).to_string()
 
-        defer.returnValue(results)
+        return results
 
 
 class RoomEventSource(object):
@@ -941,7 +941,7 @@ class RoomEventSource(object):
             else:
                 end_key = to_key
 
-        defer.returnValue((events, end_key))
+        return (events, end_key)
 
     def get_current_key(self):
         return self.store.get_room_events_max_id()
@@ -959,4 +959,4 @@ class RoomEventSource(object):
             limit=config.limit,
         )
 
-        defer.returnValue((events, next_key))
+        return (events, next_key)
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/room_list.py b/synapse/handlers/room_list.py
index aae696a7e8..e9094ad02b 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/room_list.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/room_list.py
@@ -325,7 +325,7 @@ class RoomListHandler(BaseHandler):
                     current_limit=since_token.current_limit - 1,
                 ).to_token()
 
-        defer.returnValue(results)
+        return results
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _append_room_entry_to_chunk(
@@ -420,7 +420,7 @@ class RoomListHandler(BaseHandler):
         if join_rules_event:
             join_rule = join_rules_event.content.get("join_rule", None)
             if not allow_private and join_rule and join_rule != JoinRules.PUBLIC:
-                defer.returnValue(None)
+                return None
 
         # Return whether this room is open to federation users or not
         create_event = current_state.get((EventTypes.Create, ""))
@@ -469,7 +469,7 @@ class RoomListHandler(BaseHandler):
             if avatar_url:
                 result["avatar_url"] = avatar_url
 
-        defer.returnValue(result)
+        return result
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_remote_public_room_list(
@@ -482,7 +482,7 @@ class RoomListHandler(BaseHandler):
         third_party_instance_id=None,
     ):
         if not self.enable_room_list_search:
-            defer.returnValue({"chunk": [], "total_room_count_estimate": 0})
+            return {"chunk": [], "total_room_count_estimate": 0}
 
         if search_filter:
             # We currently don't support searching across federation, so we have
@@ -507,7 +507,7 @@ class RoomListHandler(BaseHandler):
                 ]
             }
 
-        defer.returnValue(res)
+        return res
 
     def _get_remote_list_cached(
         self,
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/room_member.py b/synapse/handlers/room_member.py
index e0196ef83e..baea08ddd0 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/room_member.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/room_member.py
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
         )
         if duplicate is not None:
             # Discard the new event since this membership change is a no-op.
-            defer.returnValue(duplicate)
+            return duplicate
 
         yield self.event_creation_handler.handle_new_client_event(
             requester, event, context, extra_users=[target], ratelimit=ratelimit
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
                 if prev_member_event.membership == Membership.JOIN:
                     yield self._user_left_room(target, room_id)
 
-        defer.returnValue(event)
+        return event
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def copy_room_tags_and_direct_to_room(self, old_room_id, new_room_id, user_id):
@@ -303,7 +303,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
                 require_consent=require_consent,
             )
 
-        defer.returnValue(result)
+        return result
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _update_membership(
@@ -423,7 +423,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
                 same_membership = old_membership == effective_membership_state
                 same_sender = requester.user.to_string() == old_state.sender
                 if same_sender and same_membership and same_content:
-                    defer.returnValue(old_state)
+                    return old_state
 
             if old_membership in ["ban", "leave"] and action == "kick":
                 raise AuthError(403, "The target user is not in the room")
@@ -473,7 +473,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
                 ret = yield self._remote_join(
                     requester, remote_room_hosts, room_id, target, content
                 )
-                defer.returnValue(ret)
+                return ret
 
         elif effective_membership_state == Membership.LEAVE:
             if not is_host_in_room:
@@ -495,7 +495,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
                     res = yield self._remote_reject_invite(
                         requester, remote_room_hosts, room_id, target
                     )
-                    defer.returnValue(res)
+                    return res
 
         res = yield self._local_membership_update(
             requester=requester,
@@ -508,7 +508,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
             content=content,
             require_consent=require_consent,
         )
-        defer.returnValue(res)
+        return res
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def send_membership_event(
@@ -596,11 +596,11 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
         """
         guest_access_id = current_state_ids.get((EventTypes.GuestAccess, ""), None)
         if not guest_access_id:
-            defer.returnValue(False)
+            return False
 
         guest_access = yield self.store.get_event(guest_access_id)
 
-        defer.returnValue(
+        return (
             guest_access
             and guest_access.content
             and "guest_access" in guest_access.content
@@ -635,7 +635,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
             servers.remove(room_alias.domain)
         servers.insert(0, room_alias.domain)
 
-        defer.returnValue((RoomID.from_string(room_id), servers))
+        return (RoomID.from_string(room_id), servers)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _get_inviter(self, user_id, room_id):
@@ -643,7 +643,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
             user_id=user_id, room_id=room_id
         )
         if invite:
-            defer.returnValue(UserID.from_string(invite.sender))
+            return UserID.from_string(invite.sender)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def do_3pid_invite(
@@ -708,11 +708,11 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
                 if "signatures" not in data:
                     raise AuthError(401, "No signatures on 3pid binding")
                 yield self._verify_any_signature(data, id_server)
-                defer.returnValue(data["mxid"])
+                return data["mxid"]
 
         except IOError as e:
             logger.warn("Error from identity server lookup: %s" % (e,))
-            defer.returnValue(None)
+            return None
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _verify_any_signature(self, data, server_hostname):
@@ -904,7 +904,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
         if not public_keys:
             public_keys.append(fallback_public_key)
         display_name = data["display_name"]
-        defer.returnValue((token, public_keys, fallback_public_key, display_name))
+        return (token, public_keys, fallback_public_key, display_name)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _is_host_in_room(self, current_state_ids):
@@ -913,7 +913,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
         create_event_id = current_state_ids.get(("m.room.create", ""))
         if len(current_state_ids) == 1 and create_event_id:
             # We can only get here if we're in the process of creating the room
-            defer.returnValue(True)
+            return True
 
         for etype, state_key in current_state_ids:
             if etype != EventTypes.Member or not self.hs.is_mine_id(state_key):
@@ -925,16 +925,16 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
                 continue
 
             if event.membership == Membership.JOIN:
-                defer.returnValue(True)
+                return True
 
-        defer.returnValue(False)
+        return False
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _is_server_notice_room(self, room_id):
         if self._server_notices_mxid is None:
-            defer.returnValue(False)
+            return False
         user_ids = yield self.store.get_users_in_room(room_id)
-        defer.returnValue(self._server_notices_mxid in user_ids)
+        return self._server_notices_mxid in user_ids
 
 
 class RoomMemberMasterHandler(RoomMemberHandler):
@@ -978,7 +978,7 @@ class RoomMemberMasterHandler(RoomMemberHandler):
             ret = yield fed_handler.do_remotely_reject_invite(
                 remote_room_hosts, room_id, target.to_string()
             )
-            defer.returnValue(ret)
+            return ret
         except Exception as e:
             # if we were unable to reject the exception, just mark
             # it as rejected on our end and plough ahead.
@@ -989,7 +989,7 @@ class RoomMemberMasterHandler(RoomMemberHandler):
             logger.warn("Failed to reject invite: %s", e)
 
             yield self.store.locally_reject_invite(target.to_string(), room_id)
-            defer.returnValue({})
+            return {}
 
     def _user_joined_room(self, target, room_id):
         """Implements RoomMemberHandler._user_joined_room
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/room_member_worker.py b/synapse/handlers/room_member_worker.py
index fc873a3ba6..75e96ae1a2 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/room_member_worker.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/room_member_worker.py
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ class RoomMemberWorkerHandler(RoomMemberHandler):
 
         yield self._user_joined_room(user, room_id)
 
-        defer.returnValue(ret)
+        return ret
 
     def _remote_reject_invite(self, requester, remote_room_hosts, room_id, target):
         """Implements RoomMemberHandler._remote_reject_invite
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/search.py b/synapse/handlers/search.py
index ddc4430d03..cd5e90bacb 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/search.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/search.py
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ class SearchHandler(BaseHandler):
             # Scan through the old room for further predecessors
             room_id = predecessor["room_id"]
 
-        defer.returnValue(historical_room_ids)
+        return historical_room_ids
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def search(self, user, content, batch=None):
@@ -186,13 +186,11 @@ class SearchHandler(BaseHandler):
             room_ids.intersection_update({batch_group_key})
 
         if not room_ids:
-            defer.returnValue(
-                {
-                    "search_categories": {
-                        "room_events": {"results": [], "count": 0, "highlights": []}
-                    }
+            return {
+                "search_categories": {
+                    "room_events": {"results": [], "count": 0, "highlights": []}
                 }
-            )
+            }
 
         rank_map = {}  # event_id -> rank of event
         allowed_events = []
@@ -455,4 +453,4 @@ class SearchHandler(BaseHandler):
         if global_next_batch:
             rooms_cat_res["next_batch"] = global_next_batch
 
-        defer.returnValue({"search_categories": {"room_events": rooms_cat_res}})
+        return {"search_categories": {"room_events": rooms_cat_res}}
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/state_deltas.py b/synapse/handlers/state_deltas.py
index 6b364befd5..f065970c40 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/state_deltas.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/state_deltas.py
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ class StateDeltasHandler(object):
 
         if not event and not prev_event:
             logger.debug("Neither event exists: %r %r", prev_event_id, event_id)
-            defer.returnValue(None)
+            return None
 
         prev_value = None
         value = None
@@ -62,8 +62,8 @@ class StateDeltasHandler(object):
         logger.debug("prev_value: %r -> value: %r", prev_value, value)
 
         if value == public_value and prev_value != public_value:
-            defer.returnValue(True)
+            return True
         elif value != public_value and prev_value == public_value:
-            defer.returnValue(False)
+            return False
         else:
-            defer.returnValue(None)
+            return None
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/stats.py b/synapse/handlers/stats.py
index a0ee8db988..4449da6669 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/stats.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/stats.py
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ class StatsHandler(StateDeltasHandler):
 
         # If still None then the initial background update hasn't happened yet
         if self.pos is None:
-            defer.returnValue(None)
+            return None
 
         # Loop round handling deltas until we're up to date
         while True:
@@ -328,6 +328,6 @@ class StatsHandler(StateDeltasHandler):
                 == "world_readable"
             )
         ):
-            defer.returnValue(True)
+            return True
         else:
-            defer.returnValue(False)
+            return False
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/sync.py b/synapse/handlers/sync.py
index cd1ac0a27a..4007284e5b 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/sync.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/sync.py
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
             timeout,
             full_state,
         )
-        defer.returnValue(res)
+        return res
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _wait_for_sync_for_user(self, sync_config, since_token, timeout, full_state):
@@ -303,7 +303,7 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
                 lazy_loaded = "false"
             non_empty_sync_counter.labels(sync_type, lazy_loaded).inc()
 
-        defer.returnValue(result)
+        return result
 
     def current_sync_for_user(self, sync_config, since_token=None, full_state=False):
         """Get the sync for client needed to match what the server has now.
@@ -317,7 +317,7 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
         user_id = user.to_string()
         rules = yield self.store.get_push_rules_for_user(user_id)
         rules = format_push_rules_for_user(user, rules)
-        defer.returnValue(rules)
+        return rules
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def ephemeral_by_room(self, sync_result_builder, now_token, since_token=None):
@@ -378,7 +378,7 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
                 event_copy = {k: v for (k, v) in iteritems(event) if k != "room_id"}
                 ephemeral_by_room.setdefault(room_id, []).append(event_copy)
 
-        defer.returnValue((now_token, ephemeral_by_room))
+        return (now_token, ephemeral_by_room)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _load_filtered_recents(
@@ -426,8 +426,8 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
                 recents = []
 
             if not limited or block_all_timeline:
-                defer.returnValue(
-                    TimelineBatch(events=recents, prev_batch=now_token, limited=False)
+                return TimelineBatch(
+                    events=recents, prev_batch=now_token, limited=False
                 )
 
             filtering_factor = 2
@@ -490,12 +490,10 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
 
             prev_batch_token = now_token.copy_and_replace("room_key", room_key)
 
-        defer.returnValue(
-            TimelineBatch(
-                events=recents,
-                prev_batch=prev_batch_token,
-                limited=limited or newly_joined_room,
-            )
+        return TimelineBatch(
+            events=recents,
+            prev_batch=prev_batch_token,
+            limited=limited or newly_joined_room,
         )
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -517,7 +515,7 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
         if event.is_state():
             state_ids = state_ids.copy()
             state_ids[(event.type, event.state_key)] = event.event_id
-        defer.returnValue(state_ids)
+        return state_ids
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_state_at(self, room_id, stream_position, state_filter=StateFilter.all()):
@@ -549,7 +547,7 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
         else:
             # no events in this room - so presumably no state
             state = {}
-        defer.returnValue(state)
+        return state
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def compute_summary(self, room_id, sync_config, batch, state, now_token):
@@ -579,7 +577,7 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
         )
 
         if not last_events:
-            defer.returnValue(None)
+            return None
             return
 
         last_event = last_events[-1]
@@ -611,14 +609,14 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
         if name_id:
             name = yield self.store.get_event(name_id, allow_none=True)
             if name and name.content.get("name"):
-                defer.returnValue(summary)
+                return summary
 
         if canonical_alias_id:
             canonical_alias = yield self.store.get_event(
                 canonical_alias_id, allow_none=True
             )
             if canonical_alias and canonical_alias.content.get("alias"):
-                defer.returnValue(summary)
+                return summary
 
         me = sync_config.user.to_string()
 
@@ -652,7 +650,7 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
             summary["m.heroes"] = sorted([user_id for user_id in gone_user_ids])[0:5]
 
         if not sync_config.filter_collection.lazy_load_members():
-            defer.returnValue(summary)
+            return summary
 
         # ensure we send membership events for heroes if needed
         cache_key = (sync_config.user.to_string(), sync_config.device_id)
@@ -686,7 +684,7 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
             cache.set(s.state_key, s.event_id)
             state[(EventTypes.Member, s.state_key)] = s
 
-        defer.returnValue(summary)
+        return summary
 
     def get_lazy_loaded_members_cache(self, cache_key):
         cache = self.lazy_loaded_members_cache.get(cache_key)
@@ -871,14 +869,12 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
         if state_ids:
             state = yield self.store.get_events(list(state_ids.values()))
 
-        defer.returnValue(
-            {
-                (e.type, e.state_key): e
-                for e in sync_config.filter_collection.filter_room_state(
-                    list(state.values())
-                )
-            }
-        )
+        return {
+            (e.type, e.state_key): e
+            for e in sync_config.filter_collection.filter_room_state(
+                list(state.values())
+            )
+        }
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def unread_notifs_for_room_id(self, room_id, sync_config):
@@ -894,11 +890,11 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
                 notifs = yield self.store.get_unread_event_push_actions_by_room_for_user(
                     room_id, sync_config.user.to_string(), last_unread_event_id
                 )
-                defer.returnValue(notifs)
+                return notifs
 
         # There is no new information in this period, so your notification
         # count is whatever it was last time.
-        defer.returnValue(None)
+        return None
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def generate_sync_result(self, sync_config, since_token=None, full_state=False):
@@ -989,19 +985,17 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
                     "Sync result for newly joined room %s: %r", room_id, joined_room
                 )
 
-        defer.returnValue(
-            SyncResult(
-                presence=sync_result_builder.presence,
-                account_data=sync_result_builder.account_data,
-                joined=sync_result_builder.joined,
-                invited=sync_result_builder.invited,
-                archived=sync_result_builder.archived,
-                to_device=sync_result_builder.to_device,
-                device_lists=device_lists,
-                groups=sync_result_builder.groups,
-                device_one_time_keys_count=one_time_key_counts,
-                next_batch=sync_result_builder.now_token,
-            )
+        return SyncResult(
+            presence=sync_result_builder.presence,
+            account_data=sync_result_builder.account_data,
+            joined=sync_result_builder.joined,
+            invited=sync_result_builder.invited,
+            archived=sync_result_builder.archived,
+            to_device=sync_result_builder.to_device,
+            device_lists=device_lists,
+            groups=sync_result_builder.groups,
+            device_one_time_keys_count=one_time_key_counts,
+            next_batch=sync_result_builder.now_token,
         )
 
     @measure_func("_generate_sync_entry_for_groups")
@@ -1124,11 +1118,9 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
             # Remove any users that we still share a room with.
             newly_left_users -= users_who_share_room
 
-            defer.returnValue(
-                DeviceLists(changed=users_that_have_changed, left=newly_left_users)
-            )
+            return DeviceLists(changed=users_that_have_changed, left=newly_left_users)
         else:
-            defer.returnValue(DeviceLists(changed=[], left=[]))
+            return DeviceLists(changed=[], left=[])
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _generate_sync_entry_for_to_device(self, sync_result_builder):
@@ -1225,7 +1217,7 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
 
         sync_result_builder.account_data = account_data_for_user
 
-        defer.returnValue(account_data_by_room)
+        return account_data_by_room
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _generate_sync_entry_for_presence(
@@ -1325,7 +1317,7 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
                     )
                     if not tags_by_room:
                         logger.debug("no-oping sync")
-                        defer.returnValue(([], [], [], []))
+                        return ([], [], [], [])
 
         ignored_account_data = yield self.store.get_global_account_data_by_type_for_user(
             "m.ignored_user_list", user_id=user_id
@@ -1388,13 +1380,11 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
 
         newly_left_users -= newly_joined_or_invited_users
 
-        defer.returnValue(
-            (
-                newly_joined_rooms,
-                newly_joined_or_invited_users,
-                newly_left_rooms,
-                newly_left_users,
-            )
+        return (
+            newly_joined_rooms,
+            newly_joined_or_invited_users,
+            newly_left_rooms,
+            newly_left_users,
         )
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -1414,13 +1404,13 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
         )
 
         if rooms_changed:
-            defer.returnValue(True)
+            return True
 
         stream_id = RoomStreamToken.parse_stream_token(since_token.room_key).stream
         for room_id in sync_result_builder.joined_room_ids:
             if self.store.has_room_changed_since(room_id, stream_id):
-                defer.returnValue(True)
-        defer.returnValue(False)
+                return True
+        return False
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _get_rooms_changed(self, sync_result_builder, ignored_users):
@@ -1637,7 +1627,7 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
                 )
             room_entries.append(entry)
 
-        defer.returnValue((room_entries, invited, newly_joined_rooms, newly_left_rooms))
+        return (room_entries, invited, newly_joined_rooms, newly_left_rooms)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _get_all_rooms(self, sync_result_builder, ignored_users):
@@ -1711,7 +1701,7 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
                     )
                 )
 
-        defer.returnValue((room_entries, invited, []))
+        return (room_entries, invited, [])
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _generate_room_entry(
@@ -1912,7 +1902,7 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
                 joined_room_ids.add(room_id)
 
         joined_room_ids = frozenset(joined_room_ids)
-        defer.returnValue(joined_room_ids)
+        return joined_room_ids
 
 
 def _action_has_highlight(actions):
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/typing.py b/synapse/handlers/typing.py
index c3e0c8fc7e..6b661aa93d 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/typing.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/typing.py
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ class TypingHandler(object):
 
         if was_present:
             # No point sending another notification
-            defer.returnValue(None)
+            return None
 
         self._push_update(member=member, typing=True)
 
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ class TypingHandler(object):
     def _stopped_typing(self, member):
         if member.user_id not in self._room_typing.get(member.room_id, set()):
             # No point
-            defer.returnValue(None)
+            return None
 
         self._member_typing_until.pop(member, None)
         self._member_last_federation_poke.pop(member, None)
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/user_directory.py b/synapse/handlers/user_directory.py
index 5de9630950..e53669e40d 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/user_directory.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/user_directory.py
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ class UserDirectoryHandler(StateDeltasHandler):
 
         # If still None then the initial background update hasn't happened yet
         if self.pos is None:
-            defer.returnValue(None)
+            return None
 
         # Loop round handling deltas until we're up to date
         while True: