diff --git a/synapse/handlers/sync.py b/synapse/handlers/sync.py
index 35a62fda4..bd8c60368 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/sync.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/sync.py
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ class SyncHandler(BaseHandler):
             result = yield self.current_sync_for_user(sync_config, since_token)
             defer.returnValue(result)
         else:
-            def current_sync_callback():
+            def current_sync_callback(before_token, after_token):
                 return self.current_sync_for_user(sync_config, since_token)
 
             rm_handler = self.hs.get_handlers().room_member_handler
diff --git a/synapse/notifier.py b/synapse/notifier.py
index 1f7f0a143..2de7dca8a 100644
--- a/synapse/notifier.py
+++ b/synapse/notifier.py
@@ -81,14 +81,15 @@ class _NotifierUserStream(object):
         self.last_notified_ms = time_now_ms
 
     def notify(self, stream_key, stream_id, time_now_ms):
-        self.last_notified_ms = time_now_ms
         self.current_token = self.current_token.copy_and_replace(
             stream_key, stream_id
         )
-        listeners = self.listeners
-        self.listeners = set()
-        for listener in listeners:
-            listener.notify(self.current_token)
+        if self.listeners:
+            self.last_notified_ms = time_now_ms
+            listeners = self.listeners
+            self.listeners = set()
+            for listener in listeners:
+                listener.notify(self.current_token)
 
     def remove(self, notifier):
         """ Remove this listener from all the indexes in the Notifier