diff --git a/src/RoomInvite.js b/src/RoomInvite.js
index 31541148d9..0bcc08eb06 100644
--- a/src/RoomInvite.js
+++ b/src/RoomInvite.js
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ export function showStartChatInviteDialog() {
         title: _t('Start a chat'),
         description: _t("Who would you like to communicate with?"),
         placeholder: _t("Email, name or matrix ID"),
+        validAddressTypes: ['mx-user-id', 'email'],
         button: _t("Start Chat"),
         onFinished: _onStartChatFinished,
     });