diff --git a/bridge/slack/slack.go b/bridge/slack/slack.go
index 79b291b2..d0156ec8 100644
--- a/bridge/slack/slack.go
+++ b/bridge/slack/slack.go
@@ -70,9 +70,8 @@ func (b *Bslack) FullOrigin() string {
 func (b *Bslack) JoinChannel(channel string) error {
 	// we can only join channels using the API
 	if b.Config.UseAPI {
-		schannel := b.getChannelByName(channel)
-		if schannel != nil && !schannel.IsMember {
-			_, err := b.sc.JoinChannel(schannel.ID)
+		_, err := b.sc.JoinChannel(channel)
+		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}