diff --git a/changelog.d/12869.misc b/changelog.d/12869.misc
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..1d9d1c8921de
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/12869.misc
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Don't generate empty AS transactions when the AS is flagged as down. Contributed by Nick @ Beeper.
diff --git a/synapse/appservice/scheduler.py b/synapse/appservice/scheduler.py
index 3b49e6071677..de5e5216c223 100644
--- a/synapse/appservice/scheduler.py
+++ b/synapse/appservice/scheduler.py
@@ -384,6 +384,11 @@ async def send(
             device_list_summary: The device list summary to include in the transaction.
         """
         try:
+            service_is_up = await self._is_service_up(service)
+            # Don't create empty txns when in recovery mode (ephemeral events are dropped)
+            if not service_is_up and not events:
+                return
+
             txn = await self.store.create_appservice_txn(
                 service=service,
                 events=events,
@@ -393,7 +398,6 @@ async def send(
                 unused_fallback_keys=unused_fallback_keys or {},
                 device_list_summary=device_list_summary or DeviceListUpdates(),
             )
-            service_is_up = await self._is_service_up(service)
             if service_is_up:
                 sent = await txn.send(self.as_api)
                 if sent: