diff --git a/src/components/views/elements/EventTilePreview.tsx b/src/components/views/elements/EventTilePreview.tsx
index 95f9a97058..6d2ea687de 100644
--- a/src/components/views/elements/EventTilePreview.tsx
+++ b/src/components/views/elements/EventTilePreview.tsx
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ export default class EventTilePreview extends React.Component<IProps, IState> {
 
         // Fake it more
         event.sender = {
-            name: this.props.displayName,
+            name: this.props.displayName || this.props.userId,
             userId: this.props.userId,
             getAvatarUrl: (..._) => {
                 return Avatar.avatarUrlForUser(