diff --git a/synapse/handlers/typing.py b/synapse/handlers/typing.py
index c2762f92c..05879fbfc 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/typing.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/typing.py
@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ class TypingNotificationEventSource(object):
             # TODO: check if user is in room
             events.append(self._make_event_for(room_id))
 
-        return (events, handler._latest_room_serial)
+        return defer.succeed((events, handler._latest_room_serial))
 
     def get_current_key(self):
         return self.handler()._latest_room_serial
diff --git a/tests/handlers/test_typing.py b/tests/handlers/test_typing.py
index bf34b7ccb..39590115e 100644
--- a/tests/handlers/test_typing.py
+++ b/tests/handlers/test_typing.py
@@ -175,8 +175,9 @@ class TypingNotificationsTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         ])
 
         self.assertEquals(self.event_source.get_current_key(), 1)
+        events = yield self.event_source.get_new_events_for_user(self.u_apple, 0, None)
         self.assertEquals(
-            self.event_source.get_new_events_for_user(self.u_apple, 0, None)[0],
+            events[0],
             [
                 {"type": "m.typing",
                  "room_id": self.room_id,
@@ -237,8 +238,9 @@ class TypingNotificationsTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         ])
 
         self.assertEquals(self.event_source.get_current_key(), 1)
+        events = yield self.event_source.get_new_events_for_user(self.u_apple, 0, None)
         self.assertEquals(
-            self.event_source.get_new_events_for_user(self.u_apple, 0, None)[0],
+            events[0],
             [
                 {"type": "m.typing",
                  "room_id": self.room_id,
@@ -292,8 +294,9 @@ class TypingNotificationsTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         yield put_json.await_calls()
 
         self.assertEquals(self.event_source.get_current_key(), 1)
+        events = yield self.event_source.get_new_events_for_user(self.u_apple, 0, None)
         self.assertEquals(
-            self.event_source.get_new_events_for_user(self.u_apple, 0, None)[0],
+            events[0],
             [
                 {"type": "m.typing",
                  "room_id": self.room_id,
@@ -322,8 +325,9 @@ class TypingNotificationsTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         self.on_new_user_event.reset_mock()
 
         self.assertEquals(self.event_source.get_current_key(), 1)
+        events = yield self.event_source.get_new_events_for_user(self.u_apple, 0, None)
         self.assertEquals(
-            self.event_source.get_new_events_for_user(self.u_apple, 0, None)[0],
+            events[0],
             [
                 {"type": "m.typing",
                  "room_id": self.room_id,
@@ -340,8 +344,9 @@ class TypingNotificationsTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         ])
 
         self.assertEquals(self.event_source.get_current_key(), 2)
+        events = yield self.event_source.get_new_events_for_user(self.u_apple, 1, None)
         self.assertEquals(
-            self.event_source.get_new_events_for_user(self.u_apple, 1, None)[0],
+            events[0],
             [
                 {"type": "m.typing",
                  "room_id": self.room_id,
@@ -366,8 +371,9 @@ class TypingNotificationsTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         self.on_new_user_event.reset_mock()
 
         self.assertEquals(self.event_source.get_current_key(), 3)
+        events = yield self.event_source.get_new_events_for_user(self.u_apple, 0, None)
         self.assertEquals(
-            self.event_source.get_new_events_for_user(self.u_apple, 0, None)[0],
+            events[0],
             [
                 {"type": "m.typing",
                  "room_id": self.room_id,
diff --git a/tests/rest/client/v1/test_typing.py b/tests/rest/client/v1/test_typing.py
index 80f2ec9dd..d04e5abda 100644
--- a/tests/rest/client/v1/test_typing.py
+++ b/tests/rest/client/v1/test_typing.py
@@ -115,8 +115,9 @@ class RoomTypingTestCase(RestTestCase):
         self.assertEquals(200, code)
 
         self.assertEquals(self.event_source.get_current_key(), 1)
+        events = yield self.event_source.get_new_events_for_user(self.user_id, 0, None)
         self.assertEquals(
-            self.event_source.get_new_events_for_user(self.user_id, 0, None)[0],
+            events[0],
             [
                 {"type": "m.typing",
                  "room_id": self.room_id,