diff --git a/src/components/views/rooms/RoomTile.js b/src/components/views/rooms/RoomTile.js
index 232e11cfd8..fd06962a99 100644
--- a/src/components/views/rooms/RoomTile.js
+++ b/src/components/views/rooms/RoomTile.js
@@ -112,8 +112,7 @@ module.exports = createReactClass({
     onJoinRule: function(ev) {
         if (ev.getType() !== "m.room.join_rules") return;
         if (ev.getRoomId() !== this.props.room.roomId) return;
-        const joinRule = (ev.getContent() || {}).join_rule;
-        this.setState({ joinRule });
+        this.setState({ joinRule: ev.getContent().join_rule });
     },
 
     onAccountData: function(accountDataEvent) {