diff --git a/lib/sync.js b/lib/sync.js
index 63e344164..59b90c4bc 100644
--- a/lib/sync.js
+++ b/lib/sync.js
@@ -384,7 +384,10 @@ SyncApi.prototype._sync = function(syncOptions, attempt) {
         //          timeline: { events: [], prev_batch: $token, limited: true },
         //          ephemeral: { events: [] },
         //          account_data: { events: [] },
-        //          unread_notification_count: 0
+        //          unread_notifications: {
+        //              highlight_count: 0,
+        //              notification_count: 0,
+        //          }
         //        }
         //      },
         //      leave: {
@@ -466,7 +469,7 @@ SyncApi.prototype._sync = function(syncOptions, attempt) {
                 var accountDataEvents = self._mapSyncEventsFormat(joinObj.account_data);
 
                 // we do this first so it's correct when any of the events fire
-                room.unread_notification_count = joinObj.unread_notification_count;
+                room.unread_notifications = joinObj.unread_notifications || {};
 
                 joinObj.timeline = joinObj.timeline || {};