diff --git a/synapse/groups/groups_server.py b/synapse/groups/groups_server.py
index 507ec232c5..1b516011d8 100644
--- a/synapse/groups/groups_server.py
+++ b/synapse/groups/groups_server.py
@@ -741,11 +741,7 @@ class GroupsServerHandler(object):
         This will error if the group requires an invite/knock to join
         """
 
-        yield self.check_group_is_ours(group_id, requester_user_id, and_exists=True)
-
-        group_info = yield self.store.get_group(
-            group_id,
-        )
+        group_info = yield self.check_group_is_ours(group_id, requester_user_id, and_exists=True)
         if group_info['join_policy'] != "open":
             raise SynapseError(403, "Group is not publicly joinable")