diff --git a/synapse/handlers/message.py b/synapse/handlers/message.py
index 8a9e6cf6c..29e81085d 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/message.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/message.py
@@ -145,9 +145,7 @@ class MessageHandler(BaseHandler):
             )
         )
 
-        def allowed(event_and_state):
-            event, state = event_and_state
-
+        def allowed(event, state):
             if event.type == EventTypes.RoomHistoryVisibility:
                 return True
 
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/sync.py b/synapse/handlers/sync.py
index ec8d78ba8..7206ae23d 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/sync.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/sync.py
@@ -302,9 +302,7 @@ class SyncHandler(BaseHandler):
             )
         )
 
-        def allowed(event_and_state):
-            event, state = event_and_state
-
+        def allowed(event, state):
             if event.type == EventTypes.RoomHistoryVisibility:
                 return True