diff --git a/src/components/structures/MatrixChat.js b/src/components/structures/MatrixChat.js
index 71e61cda22..af0f3a7574 100644
--- a/src/components/structures/MatrixChat.js
+++ b/src/components/structures/MatrixChat.js
@@ -286,6 +286,14 @@ export default React.createClass({
                 register_hs_url: paramHs,
             });
         }
+        // Set a default IS with query param `is_url`
+        const paramIs = this.props.startingFragmentQueryParams.is_url;
+        if (paramIs) {
+            console.log('Setting register_is_url ', paramIs);
+            this.setState({
+                register_is_url: paramIs,
+            });
+        }
 
         // a thing to call showScreen with once login completes.  this is kept
         // outside this.state because updating it should never trigger a