diff --git a/resources/prosody-plugins/mod_muc_meeting_id.lua b/resources/prosody-plugins/mod_muc_meeting_id.lua
index 3cffcb13964..4dddf1cfc7d 100644
--- a/resources/prosody-plugins/mod_muc_meeting_id.lua
+++ b/resources/prosody-plugins/mod_muc_meeting_id.lua
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ module:hook('muc-occupant-pre-join', function (event)
     local room, stanza = event.room, event.stanza;
 
     -- we skip processing only if jicofo_lock is set to false
-    if room.jicofo_lock == false or is_healthcheck_room(stanza.attr.from) then
+    if room._data.jicofo_lock == false or is_healthcheck_room(stanza.attr.from) then
         return;
     end
 
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ module:hook('muc-occupant-pre-join', function (event)
     if ends_with(occupant.nick, '/focus') then
         module:fire_event('jicofo-unlock-room', { room = room; });
     else
-        room.jicofo_lock = true;
+        room._data.jicofo_lock = true;
         if not room.pre_join_queue then
             room.pre_join_queue = queue.new(QUEUE_MAX_SIZE);
         end
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ end, 8); -- just after the rate limit
 function handle_jicofo_unlock(event)
     local room = event.room;
 
-    room.jicofo_lock = false;
+    room._data.jicofo_lock = false;
     if not room.pre_join_queue then
         return;
     end