diff --git a/synapse/handlers/message.py b/synapse/handlers/message.py
index 10608c0dd..fa78d4ace 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/message.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/message.py
@@ -34,10 +34,6 @@ import logging
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
-def collect_presencelike_data(distributor, user, content):
-    return distributor.fire("collect_presencelike_data", user, content)
-
-
 class MessageHandler(BaseHandler):
 
     def __init__(self, hs):
@@ -202,12 +198,8 @@ class MessageHandler(BaseHandler):
             membership = builder.content.get("membership", None)
             target = UserID.from_string(builder.state_key)
 
-            if membership == Membership.JOIN:
+            if membership in {Membership.JOIN, Membership.INVITE}:
                 # If event doesn't include a display name, add one.
-                yield collect_presencelike_data(
-                    self.distributor, target, builder.content
-                )
-            elif membership == Membership.INVITE:
                 profile = self.hs.get_handlers().profile_handler
                 content = builder.content
 
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/profile.py b/synapse/handlers/profile.py
index b45eafbb4..165e02069 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/profile.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/profile.py
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.api.errors import SynapseError, AuthError, CodeMessageException
 from synapse.types import UserID, Requester
-from synapse.util import unwrapFirstError
 
 from ._base import BaseHandler
 
@@ -31,10 +30,6 @@ def changed_presencelike_data(distributor, user, state):
     return distributor.fire("changed_presencelike_data", user, state)
 
 
-def collect_presencelike_data(distributor, user, content):
-    return distributor.fire("collect_presencelike_data", user, content)
-
-
 class ProfileHandler(BaseHandler):
 
     def __init__(self, hs):
@@ -48,15 +43,10 @@ class ProfileHandler(BaseHandler):
         distributor = hs.get_distributor()
         self.distributor = distributor
 
-        distributor.declare("collect_presencelike_data")
         distributor.declare("changed_presencelike_data")
 
         distributor.observe("registered_user", self.registered_user)
 
-        distributor.observe(
-            "collect_presencelike_data", self.collect_presencelike_data
-        )
-
     def registered_user(self, user):
         return self.store.create_profile(user.localpart)
 
@@ -158,24 +148,6 @@ class ProfileHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         yield self._update_join_states(requester)
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def collect_presencelike_data(self, user, state):
-        if not self.hs.is_mine(user):
-            defer.returnValue(None)
-
-        (displayname, avatar_url) = yield defer.gatherResults(
-            [
-                self.store.get_profile_displayname(user.localpart),
-                self.store.get_profile_avatar_url(user.localpart),
-            ],
-            consumeErrors=True
-        ).addErrback(unwrapFirstError)
-
-        state["displayname"] = displayname
-        state["avatar_url"] = avatar_url
-
-        defer.returnValue(None)
-
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_profile_query(self, args):
         user = UserID.from_string(args["user_id"])