diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 276b4bbee..852b6b75c 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ New features:
 New methods:
  * `MatrixScheduler.getQueueForEvent(event)`
  * `MatrixScheduler.removeEventFromQueue(event)`
+ * `RoomMember.getAvatarUrl()`
  * `$DATA_STORE.setSyncToken(token)`
  * `$DATA_STORE.getSyncToken()`
 
diff --git a/lib/models/room-member.js b/lib/models/room-member.js
index 56fe3680d..e29c9c27b 100644
--- a/lib/models/room-member.js
+++ b/lib/models/room-member.js
@@ -38,6 +38,17 @@ function RoomMember(roomId, userId) {
 }
 utils.inherits(RoomMember, EventEmitter);
 
+/**
+ * Get the avatar URL for this member.
+ * @return {string|null} the avatar URL or null.
+ */
+RoomMember.prototype.getAvatarUrl = function() {
+    if (!this.events.member) {
+        return null;
+    }
+    return this.events.member.getContent().avatar_url || null;
+};
+
 /**
  * Update this room member's membership event. May fire "RoomMember.name" if
  * this event updates this member's name.