diff --git a/synapse/handlers/room_member.py b/synapse/handlers/room_member.py
index 8cec8fc4ed..4709112a0c 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/room_member.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/room_member.py
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(BaseHandler):
             third_party_signed=None,
             ratelimit=True,
     ):
-        key = (target, room_id,)
+        key = (room_id,)
 
         with (yield self.member_linearizer.queue(key)):
             result = yield self._update_membership(