diff --git a/synapse/storage/stream.py b/synapse/storage/stream.py
index 1701d03866..fb463c525a 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/stream.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/stream.py
@@ -736,7 +736,6 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
         ) % {
             "bounds": bounds,
             "order": order,
-            "limit": limit_str
         }
 
         txn.execute(sql, args)