3 files changed, 3 insertions, 2 deletions
diff --git a/synapse/__init__.py b/synapse/__init__.py
index d6c1765508..da52463531 100644
--- a/synapse/__init__.py
+++ b/synapse/__init__.py
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ try:
 except ImportError:
     pass
 
-__version__ = "1.40.0rc1"
+__version__ = "1.40.0rc2"
 
 if bool(os.environ.get("SYNAPSE_TEST_PATCH_LOG_CONTEXTS", False)):
     # We import here so that we don't have to install a bunch of deps when
diff --git a/synapse/logging/handlers.py b/synapse/logging/handlers.py
index a6c212f300..af5fc407a8 100644
--- a/synapse/logging/handlers.py
+++ b/synapse/logging/handlers.py
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ class PeriodicallyFlushingMemoryHandler(MemoryHandler):
         self._flushing_thread: Thread = Thread(
             name="PeriodicallyFlushingMemoryHandler flushing thread",
             target=self._flush_periodically,
+            daemon=True,
         )
         self._flushing_thread.start()
 
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/receipts.py b/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/receipts.py
index 4b98979b47..d9ab836cd8 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/receipts.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/receipts.py
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ class ReceiptRestServlet(RestServlet):
         if receipt_type != "m.read":
             raise SynapseError(400, "Receipt type must be 'm.read'")
 
-        body = parse_json_object_from_request(request)
+        body = parse_json_object_from_request(request, allow_empty_body=True)
         hidden = body.get(ReadReceiptEventFields.MSC2285_HIDDEN, False)
 
         if not isinstance(hidden, bool):