diff --git a/changelog.d/7316.bugfix b/changelog.d/7316.bugfix
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..0692696c7bf8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/7316.bugfix
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Fixed backwards compatibility logic of the first value of `trusted_third_party_id_servers` being used for `account_threepid_delegates.email`, which occurs when the former, deprecated option is set and the latter is not.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/synapse/config/emailconfig.py b/synapse/config/emailconfig.py
index f31fc85ec8bb..76b8957ea502 100644
--- a/synapse/config/emailconfig.py
+++ b/synapse/config/emailconfig.py
@@ -108,9 +108,14 @@ def read_config(self, config, **kwargs):
             if self.trusted_third_party_id_servers:
                 # XXX: It's a little confusing that account_threepid_delegate_email is modified
                 # both in RegistrationConfig and here. We should factor this bit out
-                self.account_threepid_delegate_email = self.trusted_third_party_id_servers[
-                    0
-                ]  # type: Optional[str]
+
+                first_trusted_identity_server = self.trusted_third_party_id_servers[0]
+
+                # trusted_third_party_id_servers does not contain a scheme whereas
+                # account_threepid_delegate_email is expected to. Presume https
+                self.account_threepid_delegate_email = (
+                    "https://" + first_trusted_identity_server
+                )  # type: Optional[str]
                 self.using_identity_server_from_trusted_list = True
             else:
                 raise ConfigError(