diff --git a/synapse/handlers/register.py b/synapse/handlers/register.py
index 47d5e276f..03130edc5 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/register.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/register.py
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ class RegistrationHandler(BaseHandler):
         self.user_directory_handler = hs.get_user_directory_handler()
         self.captcha_client = CaptchaServerHttpClient(hs)
         self.identity_handler = self.hs.get_handlers().identity_handler
-        self.ratelimiter = hs.get_ratelimiter()
+        self.ratelimiter = hs.get_registration_ratelimiter()
 
         self._next_generated_user_id = None
 
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/register.py b/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/register.py
index b7f354570..6f3402943 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/register.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/register.py
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ class RegisterRestServlet(RestServlet):
         self.identity_handler = hs.get_handlers().identity_handler
         self.room_member_handler = hs.get_room_member_handler()
         self.macaroon_gen = hs.get_macaroon_generator()
-        self.ratelimiter = hs.get_ratelimiter()
+        self.ratelimiter = hs.get_registration_ratelimiter()
         self.clock = hs.get_clock()
 
     @interactive_auth_handler
diff --git a/synapse/server.py b/synapse/server.py
index 4323e7ff1..72835e8c8 100644
--- a/synapse/server.py
+++ b/synapse/server.py
@@ -206,6 +206,7 @@ class HomeServer(object):
         self.clock = Clock(reactor)
         self.distributor = Distributor()
         self.ratelimiter = Ratelimiter()
+        self.registration_ratelimiter = Ratelimiter()
 
         self.datastore = None
 
@@ -251,6 +252,9 @@ class HomeServer(object):
     def get_ratelimiter(self):
         return self.ratelimiter
 
+    def get_registration_ratelimiter(self):
+        return self.registration_ratelimiter
+
     def build_federation_client(self):
         return FederationClient(self)