diff --git a/lib/historyKeeper.js b/lib/historyKeeper.js
index 12c9762e5..7cf6dad00 100644
--- a/lib/historyKeeper.js
+++ b/lib/historyKeeper.js
@@ -116,16 +116,22 @@ module.exports.create = function (config, cb) {
         channelOpen: function (Server, channelName, userId, wait) {
             Env.channel_cache[channelName] = Env.channel_cache[channelName] || {};
 
+            var sendHKJoinMessage = function () {
+                Server.send(userId, [
+                    0,
+                    Env.id,
+                    'JOIN',
+                    channelName
+                ]);
+            };
+
+            // a little backwards compatibility in case you don't have the latest server
+            // allow lists won't work unless you update, though
+            if (typeof(wait) !== 'function') { return void sendHKJoinMessage(); }
+
             var next = wait();
             var cb = function (err, info) {
-                next(err, info, function () {
-                    Server.send(userId, [
-                        0,
-                        Env.id,
-                        'JOIN',
-                        channelName
-                    ]);
-                });
+                next(err, info, sendHKJoinMessage);
             };
 
             // only conventional channels can be restricted