diff --git a/synapse/app/synchrotron.py b/synapse/app/synchrotron.py
index a1ef5dfa77..1fac021ea9 100644
--- a/synapse/app/synchrotron.py
+++ b/synapse/app/synchrotron.py
@@ -62,7 +62,6 @@ import sys
 import logging
 import contextlib
 import gc
-import ujson as json
 
 logger = logging.getLogger("synapse.app.synchrotron")
 
@@ -215,9 +214,8 @@ class SynchrotronTyping(object):
         self._latest_room_serial = token
 
         for row in rows:
-            typing = json.loads(row.user_ids)
             self._room_serials[row.room_id] = token
-            self._room_typing[row.room_id] = typing
+            self._room_typing[row.room_id] = row.user_ids
 
 
 class SynchrotronApplicationService(object):
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/typing.py b/synapse/handlers/typing.py
index d6809862e0..3b7818af5c 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/typing.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/typing.py
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ from synapse.types import UserID, get_domain_from_id
 import logging
 
 from collections import namedtuple
-import ujson as json
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -288,8 +287,7 @@ class TypingHandler(object):
         for room_id, serial in self._room_serials.items():
             if last_id < serial and serial <= current_id:
                 typing = self._room_typing[room_id]
-                typing_bytes = json.dumps(list(typing), ensure_ascii=False)
-                rows.append((serial, room_id, typing_bytes))
+                rows.append((serial, room_id, list(typing)))
         rows.sort()
         return rows