diff --git a/changelog.d/7160.feature b/changelog.d/7160.feature
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c1205969a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/7160.feature
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Always send users their own device updates.
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/device.py b/synapse/handlers/device.py
index a514c3071..993499f44 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/device.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/device.py
@@ -125,8 +125,14 @@ class DeviceWorkerHandler(BaseHandler):
         users_who_share_room = yield self.store.get_users_who_share_room_with_user(
             user_id
         )
+
+        tracked_users = set(users_who_share_room)
+
+        # Always tell the user about their own devices
+        tracked_users.add(user_id)
+
         changed = yield self.store.get_users_whose_devices_changed(
-            from_token.device_list_key, users_who_share_room
+            from_token.device_list_key, tracked_users
         )
 
         # Then work out if any users have since joined
@@ -456,7 +462,11 @@ class DeviceHandler(DeviceWorkerHandler):
 
         room_ids = yield self.store.get_rooms_for_user(user_id)
 
-        yield self.notifier.on_new_event("device_list_key", position, rooms=room_ids)
+        # specify the user ID too since the user should always get their own device list
+        # updates, even if they aren't in any rooms.
+        yield self.notifier.on_new_event(
+            "device_list_key", position, users=[user_id], rooms=room_ids
+        )
 
         if hosts:
             logger.info(
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/sync.py b/synapse/handlers/sync.py
index 669dbc8a4..cfd5dfc9e 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/sync.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/sync.py
@@ -1143,9 +1143,14 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
                 user_id
             )
 
+            tracked_users = set(users_who_share_room)
+
+            # Always tell the user about their own devices
+            tracked_users.add(user_id)
+
             # Step 1a, check for changes in devices of users we share a room with
             users_that_have_changed = await self.store.get_users_whose_devices_changed(
-                since_token.device_list_key, users_who_share_room
+                since_token.device_list_key, tracked_users
             )
 
             # Step 1b, check for newly joined rooms