diff --git a/synapse/handlers/deactivate_account.py b/synapse/handlers/deactivate_account.py
index d58ea6c65..c5e92f621 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/deactivate_account.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/deactivate_account.py
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ class DeactivateAccountHandler(BaseHandler):
         self._auth_handler = hs.get_auth_handler()
         self._device_handler = hs.get_device_handler()
         self._room_member_handler = hs.get_room_member_handler()
+        self.user_directory_handler = hs.get_user_directory_handler()
 
         # Flag that indicates whether the process to part users from rooms is running
         self._user_parter_running = False
@@ -65,6 +66,9 @@ class DeactivateAccountHandler(BaseHandler):
         # removal from all the rooms they're a member of)
         yield self.store.add_user_pending_deactivation(user_id)
 
+        # delete from user directory
+        yield self.user_directory_handler.handle_user_deactivated(user_id)
+
         # Now start the process that goes through that list and
         # parts users from rooms (if it isn't already running)
         self._start_user_parting()
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/user_directory.py b/synapse/handlers/user_directory.py
index 714f0195c..2f73d664f 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/user_directory.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/user_directory.py
@@ -122,6 +122,13 @@ class UserDirectoryHandler(object):
             user_id, profile.display_name, profile.avatar_url, None,
         )
 
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def handle_user_deactivated(self, user_id):
+        """Called when a user ID is deactivated
+        """
+        yield self.store.remove_from_user_dir(user_id)
+        yield self.store.remove_from_user_in_public_room(user_id)
+
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _unsafe_process(self):
         # If self.pos is None then means we haven't fetched it from DB