diff --git a/spec/integ/sliding-sync-sdk.spec.ts b/spec/integ/sliding-sync-sdk.spec.ts
index 8244b5f9c..f7dc68754 100644
--- a/spec/integ/sliding-sync-sdk.spec.ts
+++ b/spec/integ/sliding-sync-sdk.spec.ts
@@ -362,6 +362,8 @@ describe("SlidingSyncSdk", () => {
 
                 it("can update with a new required_state event", async () => {
                     let gotRoom = client.getRoom(roomB);
+                    expect(gotRoom).toBeDefined();
+                    if (gotRoom == null) { return; }
                     expect(gotRoom.getJoinRule()).toEqual(JoinRule.Invite); // default
                     mockSlidingSync.emit(SlidingSyncEvent.RoomData, roomB, {
                         required_state: [
diff --git a/src/sliding-sync.ts b/src/sliding-sync.ts
index 175e2f68a..5730c8f36 100644
--- a/src/sliding-sync.ts
+++ b/src/sliding-sync.ts
@@ -322,7 +322,7 @@ export enum SlidingSyncEvent {
 
 export type SlidingSyncEventHandlerMap = {
     [SlidingSyncEvent.RoomData]: (roomId: string, roomData: MSC3575RoomData) => void;
-    [SlidingSyncEvent.Lifecycle]: (state: SlidingSyncState, resp: MSC3575SlidingSyncResponse, err: Error) => void;
+    [SlidingSyncEvent.Lifecycle]: (state: SlidingSyncState, resp: MSC3575SlidingSyncResponse | null, err: Error) => void;
     [SlidingSyncEvent.List]: (
         listIndex: number, joinedCount: number, roomIndexToRoomId: Record<number, string>,
     ) => void;