diff --git a/synapse/handlers/sync.py b/synapse/handlers/sync.py
index c7d69d9d8..67b8ca28c 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/sync.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/sync.py
@@ -567,13 +567,13 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
         # be a valid name or canonical_alias - i.e. we're checking that they
         # haven't been "deleted" by blatting {} over the top.
         if name_id:
-            name = yield self.store.get_event(name_id, allow_none=False)
+            name = yield self.store.get_event(name_id, allow_none=True)
             if name and name.content:
                 defer.returnValue(summary)
 
         if canonical_alias_id:
             canonical_alias = yield self.store.get_event(
-                canonical_alias_id, allow_none=False,
+                canonical_alias_id, allow_none=True,
             )
             if canonical_alias and canonical_alias.content:
                 defer.returnValue(summary)