diff --git a/synapse/storage/roommember.py b/synapse/storage/roommember.py
index b2a45a38c1..63e8c32903 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/roommember.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/roommember.py
@@ -534,7 +534,7 @@ class RoomMemberStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 txn, _MEMBERSHIP_PROFILE_UPDATE_NAME, progress
             )
 
-            return len(to_update)
+            return len(rows)
 
         result = yield self.runInteraction(
             _MEMBERSHIP_PROFILE_UPDATE_NAME, add_membership_profile_txn