diff --git a/synapse/handlers/message.py b/synapse/handlers/message.py
index 21f1717dd..1c7860bb0 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/message.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/message.py
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ class MessageHandler(BaseHandler):
         depth = event.depth
 
         with (yield self.pagination_lock.write(room_id)):
-            yield self.store.delete_old_state(room_id, depth)
+            yield self.store.purge_history(room_id, depth)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_messages(self, requester, room_id=None, pagin_config=None,
diff --git a/synapse/storage/events.py b/synapse/storage/events.py
index 7a9cd3ec9..21533970d 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/events.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/events.py
@@ -2031,16 +2031,16 @@ class EventsStore(SQLBaseStore):
             )
         return self.runInteraction("get_all_new_events", get_all_new_events_txn)
 
-    def delete_old_state(self, room_id, topological_ordering):
-        return self.runInteraction(
-            "delete_old_state",
-            self._delete_old_state_txn, room_id, topological_ordering
-        )
-
-    def _delete_old_state_txn(self, txn, room_id, topological_ordering):
-        """Deletes old room state
+    def purge_history(self, room_id, topological_ordering):
+        """Deletes room history before a certain point
         """
 
+        return self.runInteraction(
+            "purge_history",
+            self._purge_history_txn, room_id, topological_ordering
+        )
+
+    def _purge_history_txn(self, txn, room_id, topological_ordering):
         # Tables that should be pruned:
         #     event_auth
         #     event_backward_extremities