diff --git a/crates/ruma-client-api/CHANGELOG.md b/crates/ruma-client-api/CHANGELOG.md
index 84f57e09..99b995b9 100644
--- a/crates/ruma-client-api/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/crates/ruma-client-api/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ Improvements:
   ```
 * Add unstable support for room knocking
 * Add unstable support for reasons for leaving rooms
+* Add a `feature = "compat"` workaround for Element failing on `GET /_matrix/client/r0/account/3pid`
+  response if the optional `threepids` field is missing
 
 # 0.11.0
 
diff --git a/crates/ruma-client-api/src/r0/contact/get_contacts.rs b/crates/ruma-client-api/src/r0/contact/get_contacts.rs
index a9566835..33d5efb7 100644
--- a/crates/ruma-client-api/src/r0/contact/get_contacts.rs
+++ b/crates/ruma-client-api/src/r0/contact/get_contacts.rs
@@ -17,9 +17,9 @@ ruma_api! {
     request: {}
 
     response: {
-        /// A list of third party identifiers the homeserver has associated with the user's
-        /// account.
-        #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Vec::is_empty")]
+        /// A list of third party identifiers the homeserver has associated with the user's account.
+        #[serde(default)]
+        #[cfg_attr(feature = "compat", serde(skip_serializing_if = "Vec::is_empty"))]
         pub threepids: Vec<ThirdPartyIdentifier>,
     }