diff --git a/synapse/handlers/message.py b/synapse/handlers/message.py
index 16c367b30b..3a9183e0b0 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/message.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/message.py
@@ -412,10 +412,8 @@ class EventCreationHandler:
         if self._block_events_without_consent_error:
             self._consent_uri_builder = ConsentURIBuilder(self.config)
 
-        self._is_worker_app = self.config.worker_app is not None
-
         if (
-            not self._is_worker_app
+            not self.config.worker_app
             and self.config.cleanup_extremities_with_dummy_events
         ):
             self.clock.looping_call(