diff --git a/src/TextForEvent.js b/src/TextForEvent.js
index e302b647de..05c1a50fce 100644
--- a/src/TextForEvent.js
+++ b/src/TextForEvent.js
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ function textForMemberEvent(ev) {
                 if (!ev.target) console.warn("Join message has no target! -- " + ev.getContent().state_key);
                 return targetName + " joined the room.";
             }
-            return '';
+            return 'Unrecognised join event';
         case 'leave':
             if (ev.getSender() === ev.getStateKey()) {
                 return targetName + " left the room.";