diff --git a/bridgev2/portal.go b/bridgev2/portal.go
index b6f60b78..ad67b773 100644
--- a/bridgev2/portal.go
+++ b/bridgev2/portal.go
@@ -2427,7 +2427,7 @@ func (portal *Portal) handleRemoteEvent(ctx context.Context, source *UserLogin,
 }
 
 func (portal *Portal) ensureFunctionalMember(ctx context.Context, ghost *Ghost) {
-	if !ghost.IsBot || portal.RoomType != database.RoomTypeDM || portal.OtherUserID == ghost.ID {
+	if !ghost.IsBot || portal.RoomType != database.RoomTypeDM || portal.OtherUserID == ghost.ID || portal.MXID == "" {
 		return
 	}
 	ars, ok := portal.Bridge.Matrix.(MatrixConnectorWithArbitraryRoomState)