diff --git a/example-config.yaml b/example-config.yaml
index cfccc342..e1c46fa9 100644
--- a/example-config.yaml
+++ b/example-config.yaml
@@ -104,6 +104,8 @@ bridge:
     # If no channel admins have logged into the bridge, the bridge won't be able to sync the member
     # list regardless of this setting.
     sync_channel_members: true
+    # Whether or not to skip deleted members when syncing members.
+    skip_deleted_members: true
     # Whether or not to automatically synchronize contacts and chats of Matrix users logged into
     # their Telegram account at startup.
     startup_sync: true
diff --git a/mautrix_telegram/config.py b/mautrix_telegram/config.py
index 7d283ff5..98ab68bb 100644
--- a/mautrix_telegram/config.py
+++ b/mautrix_telegram/config.py
@@ -202,6 +202,7 @@ class Config(DictWithRecursion):
         copy("bridge.bot_messages_as_notices")
         copy("bridge.max_initial_member_sync")
         copy("bridge.sync_channel_members")
+        copy("bridge.skip_deleted_members")
         copy("bridge.startup_sync")
         copy("bridge.sync_dialog_limit")
         copy("bridge.sync_matrix_state")
diff --git a/mautrix_telegram/portal.py b/mautrix_telegram/portal.py
index 7d4b05ec..e2a41c88 100644
--- a/mautrix_telegram/portal.py
+++ b/mautrix_telegram/portal.py
@@ -461,13 +461,16 @@ class Portal:
             self.bot.add_chat(self.tgid, self.peer_type)
             return
 
-        user = u.User.get_by_tgid(bot.id)
+        user = u.User.get_by_tgid(TelegramID(bot.id))
         if user and user.is_bot:
             user.register_portal(self)
 
     async def sync_telegram_users(self, source: 'AbstractUser', users: List[User]) -> None:
         allowed_tgids = set()
+        skip_deleted = config["bridge.skip_deleted_members"]
         for entity in users:
+            if skip_deleted and entity.deleted:
+                continue
             puppet = p.Puppet.get(TelegramID(entity.id))
             if entity.bot:
                 self.add_bot_chat(entity)
@@ -475,7 +478,7 @@ class Portal:
             await puppet.intent.ensure_joined(self.mxid)
             await puppet.update_info(source, entity)
 
-            user = u.User.get_by_tgid(entity.id)
+            user = u.User.get_by_tgid(TelegramID(entity.id))
             if user:
                 await self.invite_to_matrix(user.mxid)