diff --git a/src/models/room.js b/src/models/room.js
index 0e056e7c8..da506870b 100644
--- a/src/models/room.js
+++ b/src/models/room.js
@@ -278,7 +278,8 @@ Room.prototype.setSyncedMembership = function(membership) {
  * @return {bool} whether or not the members of this room need to be loaded
  */
 Room.prototype.needsOutOfBandMembers = function() {
-    return this.currentState.needsOutOfBandMembers();
+    return this._opts.lazyLoadMembers &&
+        this.currentState.needsOutOfBandMembers();
 };
 
 /**
diff --git a/src/sync.js b/src/sync.js
index 2c617b8a5..fd893293e 100644
--- a/src/sync.js
+++ b/src/sync.js
@@ -114,6 +114,7 @@ function SyncApi(client, opts) {
 SyncApi.prototype.createRoom = function(roomId) {
     const client = this.client;
     const room = new Room(roomId, client.getUserId(), {
+        lazyLoadMembers: this.opts.lazyLoadMembers,
         pendingEventOrdering: this.opts.pendingEventOrdering,
         timelineSupport: client.timelineSupport,
     });