diff --git a/src/crypto/algorithms/megolm.js b/src/crypto/algorithms/megolm.js
index 006a11010..f8ce23a3f 100644
--- a/src/crypto/algorithms/megolm.js
+++ b/src/crypto/algorithms/megolm.js
@@ -369,17 +369,11 @@ MegolmEncryption.prototype._prepareNewSession = async function() {
         key.key, {ed25519: this._olmDevice.deviceEd25519Key},
     );
 
-    if (this._crypto.backupInfo) {
-        // don't wait for it to complete
-        this._crypto.backupGroupSession(
-            this._roomId, this._olmDevice.deviceCurve25519Key, [],
-            sessionId, key.key,
-        ).catch((e) => {
-            // This throws if the upload failed, but this is fine
-            // since it will have written it to the db and will retry.
-            logger.log("Failed to back up megolm session", e);
-        });
-    }
+    // don't wait for it to complete
+    this._crypto.backupGroupSession(
+        this._roomId, this._olmDevice.deviceCurve25519Key, [],
+        sessionId, key.key,
+    );
 
     return new OutboundSessionInfo(sessionId);
 };
@@ -1347,18 +1341,12 @@ MegolmDecryption.prototype.onRoomKeyEvent = function(event) {
                 }
             });
     }).then(() => {
-        if (this._crypto.backupInfo) {
-            // don't wait for the keys to be backed up for the server
-            this._crypto.backupGroupSession(
-                content.room_id, senderKey, forwardingKeyChain,
-                content.session_id, content.session_key, keysClaimed,
-                exportFormat,
-            ).catch((e) => {
-                // This throws if the upload failed, but this is fine
-                // since it will have written it to the db and will retry.
-                logger.log("Failed to back up megolm session", e);
-            });
-        }
+        // don't wait for the keys to be backed up for the server
+        this._crypto.backupGroupSession(
+            content.room_id, senderKey, forwardingKeyChain,
+            content.session_id, content.session_key, keysClaimed,
+            exportFormat,
+        );
     }).catch((e) => {
         logger.error(`Error handling m.room_key_event: ${e}`);
     });
@@ -1564,7 +1552,7 @@ MegolmDecryption.prototype.importRoomKey = function(session, opts = {}) {
         true,
         opts.untrusted ? { untrusted: opts.untrusted } : {},
     ).then(() => {
-        if (this._crypto.backupInfo && opts.source !== "backup") {
+        if (opts.source !== "backup") {
             // don't wait for it to complete
             this._crypto.backupGroupSession(
                 session.room_id,
diff --git a/src/crypto/index.js b/src/crypto/index.js
index 332ff7019..9b4a5bd6e 100644
--- a/src/crypto/index.js
+++ b/src/crypto/index.js
@@ -2884,18 +2884,18 @@ Crypto.prototype.backupGroupSession = async function(
     sessionId, sessionKey, keysClaimed,
     exportFormat,
 ) {
-    if (!this.backupInfo) {
-        throw new Error("Key backups are not enabled");
-    }
-
     await this._cryptoStore.markSessionsNeedingBackup([{
         senderKey: senderKey,
         sessionId: sessionId,
     }]);
 
-    // don't wait for this to complete: it will delay so
-    // happens in the background
-    this.scheduleKeyBackupSend();
+    if (this.backupInfo) {
+        // don't wait for this to complete: it will delay so
+        // happens in the background
+        this.scheduleKeyBackupSend();
+    }
+    // if this.backupInfo is not set, then the keys will be backed up when
+    // client.enableKeyBackup is called
 };
 
 /**