diff --git a/ircd/m/room.cc b/ircd/m/room.cc
index cf2e00cca..cbed01005 100644
--- a/ircd/m/room.cc
+++ b/ircd/m/room.cc
@@ -535,6 +535,7 @@ ircd::m::room::messages::seek()
 
 bool
 ircd::m::room::messages::seek(const event::id &event_id)
+try
 {
 	auto &column
 	{
@@ -562,6 +563,10 @@ ircd::m::room::messages::seek(const event::id &event_id)
 	this->it = dbs::room_events.begin(seek_key);
 	return bool(*this);
 }
+catch(const db::not_found &e)
+{
+	return false;
+}
 
 bool
 ircd::m::room::messages::seek(const uint64_t &depth)