diff --git a/ruma-events/src/room/tombstone.rs b/ruma-events/src/room/tombstone.rs
index 2ab25eef..d4f6eb98 100644
--- a/ruma-events/src/room/tombstone.rs
+++ b/ruma-events/src/room/tombstone.rs
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ pub type TombstoneEvent = StateEvent<TombstoneEventContent>;
 #[ruma_event(type = "m.room.tombstone")]
 pub struct TombstoneEventContent {
     /// A server-defined message.
+    #[cfg_attr(feature = "unstable-synapse-quirks", serde(default))]
     pub body: String,
 
     /// The new room the client should be visiting.