diff --git a/synapse/handlers/directory.py b/synapse/handlers/directory.py
index 8b113307d..fe128d9c8 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/directory.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/directory.py
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ class DirectoryHandler(BaseHandler):
         self.appservice_handler = hs.get_application_service_handler()
         self.event_creation_handler = hs.get_event_creation_handler()
         self.config = hs.config
+        self.enable_room_list_search = hs.config.enable_room_list_search
 
         self.federation = hs.get_federation_client()
         hs.get_federation_registry().register_query_handler(
@@ -411,6 +412,13 @@ class DirectoryHandler(BaseHandler):
         if visibility not in ["public", "private"]:
             raise SynapseError(400, "Invalid visibility setting")
 
+        if visibility == "public" and not self.enable_room_list_search:
+            # The room list has been disabled.
+            raise AuthError(
+                403,
+                "This user is not permitted to publish rooms to the room list"
+            )
+
         room = yield self.store.get_room(room_id)
         if room is None:
             raise SynapseError(400, "Unknown room")