diff --git a/src/i18n/strings/en_EN.json b/src/i18n/strings/en_EN.json
index c6c0a65ad8a..277da44a9c4 100644
--- a/src/i18n/strings/en_EN.json
+++ b/src/i18n/strings/en_EN.json
@@ -754,6 +754,7 @@
     "The user must be unbanned before they can be invited.": "The user must be unbanned before they can be invited.",
     "The user's homeserver does not support the version of the space.": "The user's homeserver does not support the version of the space.",
     "The user's homeserver does not support the version of the room.": "The user's homeserver does not support the version of the room.",
+    "Cannot invite user by email without an identity server. You can connect to one under \"Settings\".": "Cannot invite user by email without an identity server. You can connect to one under \"Settings\".",
     "Unknown server error": "Unknown server error",
     "Use a few words, avoid common phrases": "Use a few words, avoid common phrases",
     "No need for symbols, digits, or uppercase letters": "No need for symbols, digits, or uppercase letters",
diff --git a/src/utils/MultiInviter.ts b/src/utils/MultiInviter.ts
index 02cbbe585ba..a4c2657140b 100644
--- a/src/utils/MultiInviter.ts
+++ b/src/utils/MultiInviter.ts
@@ -277,6 +277,13 @@ export default class MultiInviter {
                                 errorText = _t("The user's homeserver does not support the version of the room.");
                             }
                             break;
+                        case "ORG.MATRIX.JSSDK_MISSING_PARAM":
+                            if (getAddressType(address) === AddressType.Email) {
+                                errorText = _t(
+                                    "Cannot invite user by email without an identity server. " +
+                                        'You can connect to one under "Settings".',
+                                );
+                            }
                     }
 
                     if (!errorText) {
diff --git a/test/utils/MultiInviter-test.ts b/test/utils/MultiInviter-test.ts
index b6091e59080..d9f4a9bf445 100644
--- a/test/utils/MultiInviter-test.ts
+++ b/test/utils/MultiInviter-test.ts
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ limitations under the License.
 */
 
 import { mocked } from "jest-mock";
-import { MatrixClient } from "matrix-js-sdk/src/matrix";
+import { MatrixClient, MatrixError } from "matrix-js-sdk/src/matrix";
 
 import { MatrixClientPeg } from "../../src/MatrixClientPeg";
 import Modal, { ComponentType, ComponentProps } from "../../src/Modal";
@@ -142,5 +142,17 @@ describe("MultiInviter", () => {
                 });
             });
         });
+
+        it("should show sensible error when attempting 3pid invite with no identity server", async () => {
+            client.inviteByEmail = jest.fn().mockRejectedValueOnce(
+                new MatrixError({
+                    errcode: "ORG.MATRIX.JSSDK_MISSING_PARAM",
+                }),
+            );
+            await inviter.invite(["foo@bar.com"]);
+            expect(inviter.getErrorText("foo@bar.com")).toMatchInlineSnapshot(
+                `"Cannot invite user by email without an identity server. You can connect to one under "Settings"."`,
+            );
+        });
     });
 });