diff --git a/lib/src/timeline.dart b/lib/src/timeline.dart
index c592620f..2da0d001 100644
--- a/lib/src/timeline.dart
+++ b/lib/src/timeline.dart
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ class Timeline {
 
   bool get canRequestHistory {
     if (events.isEmpty) return true;
-    return events.last.type != EventTypes.RoomCreate;
+    return room.prev_batch != null && events.last.type != EventTypes.RoomCreate;
   }
 
   Future<void> requestHistory(