diff --git a/synapse/handlers/room.py b/synapse/handlers/room.py
index c2b10f418..5a4569ac9 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/room.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/room.py
@@ -270,6 +270,10 @@ class MessageHandler(BaseHandler):
         # FIXME (erikj): We need to not generate this token,
         now_token = "%s_%s" % (now_rooms_token, now_presence_token)
 
+        limit = pagin_config.limit
+        if not limit:
+            limit = 10
+
         for event in room_list:
             d = {
                 "room_id": event.room_id,
@@ -286,7 +290,7 @@ class MessageHandler(BaseHandler):
             try:
                 messages, token = yield self.store.get_recent_events_for_room(
                     event.room_id,
-                    limit=10,
+                    limit=limit,
                     end_token=now_rooms_token,
                 )