diff --git a/src/components/views/elements/Pill.js b/src/components/views/elements/Pill.js
index 067c377eaa..7e5ad379de 100644
--- a/src/components/views/elements/Pill.js
+++ b/src/components/views/elements/Pill.js
@@ -207,6 +207,7 @@ const Pill = React.createClass({
                     const member = this.state.member;
                     if (member) {
                         userId = member.userId;
+                        member.rawDisplayName = member.rawDisplayName || '';
                         linkText = member.rawDisplayName.replace(' (IRC)', ''); // FIXME when groups are done
                         if (this.props.shouldShowPillAvatar) {
                             avatar = <MemberAvatar member={member} width={16} height={16} />;