diff --git a/src/components/views/messages/RoomAvatarEvent.js b/src/components/views/messages/RoomAvatarEvent.js
index 453394249f..995d5f8531 100644
--- a/src/components/views/messages/RoomAvatarEvent.js
+++ b/src/components/views/messages/RoomAvatarEvent.js
@@ -70,9 +70,9 @@ module.exports = React.createClass({
         // it sucks that _tJsx doesn't support normal _t substitutions :((
         return (
             <div className="mx_RoomAvatarEvent">
-                { _tJsx('$senderDisplayName changed the room avatar to <img/>',
+                { _tJsx('%(senderDisplayName)s changed the room avatar to <img/>',
                          [
-                            /\$senderDisplayName/,
+                            /%\(senderDisplayName\)s/,
                             /<img\/>/,
                          ],
                          [
diff --git a/src/i18n/strings/de_DE.json b/src/i18n/strings/de_DE.json
index 8a0c2ebe9c..88700c8fa2 100644
--- a/src/i18n/strings/de_DE.json
+++ b/src/i18n/strings/de_DE.json
@@ -728,7 +728,7 @@
     "WARNING: KEY VERIFICATION FAILED! The signing key for %(userId)s and device %(deviceId)s is \"%(fprint)s\" which does not match the provided key \"%(fingerprint)s\". This could mean your communications are being intercepted!": "WARNUNG: SCHLÜSSEL-VERIFIZIERUNG FEHLGESCHLAGEN! Der Signatur-Schlüssel für %(userId)s und das Gerät %(deviceId)s ist \"%(fprint)s\", welcher nicht mit dem bereitgestellten Schlüssel \"%(fingerprint)s\" übereinstimmt. Dies kann bedeuten, dass deine Kommunikation abgehört wird!",
     "You have <a>disabled</a> URL previews by default.": "Du hast die URL-Vorschau standardmäßig <a>deaktiviert</a>.",
     "You have <a>enabled</a> URL previews by default.": "Du hast die URL-Vorschau standardmäßig <a>aktiviert</a>.",
-    "$senderDisplayName changed the room avatar to <img/>": "$senderDisplayName hat das Raum-Bild geändert zu <img/>",
+    "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the room avatar to <img/>": "%(senderDisplayName)s hat das Raum-Bild geändert zu <img/>",
     "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the avatar for %(roomName)s": "%(senderDisplayName)s hat das Raum-Bild für %(roomName)s geändert",
     "Hide removed messages": "Gelöschte Nachrichten verbergen",
     "Start new chat": "Neuen Chat starten",
diff --git a/src/i18n/strings/el.json b/src/i18n/strings/el.json
index 99ae411d94..06009b0b3b 100644
--- a/src/i18n/strings/el.json
+++ b/src/i18n/strings/el.json
@@ -639,7 +639,7 @@
     "Disable URL previews by default for participants in this room": "Απενεργοποίηση της προεπισκόπησης συνδέσμων για όλους τους συμμετέχοντες στο δωμάτιο",
     "Disable URL previews for this room (affects only you)": "Απενεργοποίηση της προεπισκόπησης συνδέσμων για αυτό το δωμάτιο (επηρεάζει μόνο εσάς)",
     " (unsupported)": " (μη υποστηριζόμενο)",
-    "$senderDisplayName changed the room avatar to <img/>": "Ο $senderDisplayName άλλαξε την εικόνα του δωματίου σε <img/>",
+    "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the room avatar to <img/>": "Ο %(senderDisplayName)s άλλαξε την εικόνα του δωματίου σε <img/>",
     "Missing Media Permissions, click here to request.": "Λείπουν τα δικαιώματα πολύμεσων, κάντε κλικ για να ζητήσετε.",
     "You may need to manually permit Riot to access your microphone/webcam": "Μπορεί να χρειαστεί να ορίσετε χειροκίνητα την πρόσβαση του Riot στο μικρόφωνο/κάμερα",
     "Can't connect to homeserver - please check your connectivity, ensure your <a>homeserver's SSL certificate</a> is trusted, and that a browser extension is not blocking requests.": "Δεν είναι δυνατή η σύνδεση στον διακομιστή - παρακαλούμε ελέγξτε την συνδεσιμότητα, βεβαιωθείτε ότι το <a>πιστοποιητικό SSL</a> του διακομιστή είναι έμπιστο και ότι κάποιο πρόσθετο περιηγητή δεν αποτρέπει τα αιτήματα.",
diff --git a/src/i18n/strings/en_EN.json b/src/i18n/strings/en_EN.json
index c8c4b8f14d..8998b379c2 100644
--- a/src/i18n/strings/en_EN.json
+++ b/src/i18n/strings/en_EN.json
@@ -788,7 +788,7 @@
     "Start chatting": "Start chatting",
     "Start Chatting": "Start Chatting",
     "Click on the button below to start chatting!": "Click on the button below to start chatting!",
-    "$senderDisplayName changed the room avatar to <img/>": "$senderDisplayName changed the room avatar to <img/>",
+    "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the room avatar to <img/>": "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the room avatar to <img/>",
     "%(senderDisplayName)s removed the room avatar.": "%(senderDisplayName)s removed the room avatar.",
     "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the avatar for %(roomName)s": "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the avatar for %(roomName)s",
     "Username available": "Username available",
diff --git a/src/i18n/strings/en_US.json b/src/i18n/strings/en_US.json
index 5236e959d4..6161728fb1 100644
--- a/src/i18n/strings/en_US.json
+++ b/src/i18n/strings/en_US.json
@@ -705,7 +705,7 @@
     "Idle": "Idle",
     "Offline": "Offline",
     "Disable URL previews for this room (affects only you)": "Disable URL previews for this room (affects only you)",
-    "$senderDisplayName changed the room avatar to <img/>": "$senderDisplayName changed the room avatar to <img/>",
+    "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the room avatar to <img/>": "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the room avatar to <img/>",
     "%(senderDisplayName)s removed the room avatar.": "%(senderDisplayName)s removed the room avatar.",
     "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the avatar for %(roomName)s": "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the avatar for %(roomName)s",
     "Active call (%(roomName)s)": "Active call (%(roomName)s)",
diff --git a/src/i18n/strings/eu.json b/src/i18n/strings/eu.json
index 234e888f7c..2ead47c62b 100644
--- a/src/i18n/strings/eu.json
+++ b/src/i18n/strings/eu.json
@@ -736,7 +736,7 @@
     "Start chatting": "Hasi txateatzen",
     "Start Chatting": "Hasi txateatzen",
     "Click on the button below to start chatting!": "Egin klik beheko botoian txateatzen hasteko!",
-    "$senderDisplayName changed the room avatar to <img/>": "$senderDisplayName erabiltzaileak gelaren abatarra aldatu du beste honetara: <img/>",
+    "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the room avatar to <img/>": "%(senderDisplayName)s erabiltzaileak gelaren abatarra aldatu du beste honetara: <img/>",
     "%(senderDisplayName)s removed the room avatar.": "%(senderDisplayName)s erabiltzaileak gelaren abatarra ezabatu du.",
     "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the avatar for %(roomName)s": "%(senderDisplayName)s erabiltzaileak %(roomName)s gelaren abatarra aldatu du",
     "Username available": "Erabiltzaile-izena eskuragarri dago",
diff --git a/src/i18n/strings/fr.json b/src/i18n/strings/fr.json
index d07a162f8d..3a45793b7c 100644
--- a/src/i18n/strings/fr.json
+++ b/src/i18n/strings/fr.json
@@ -637,7 +637,7 @@
     "for %(amount)sm": "depuis %(amount)sm",
     "for %(amount)sh": "depuis %(amount)sh",
     "for %(amount)sd": "depuis %(amount)sj",
-    "$senderDisplayName changed the room avatar to <img/>": "$senderDisplayName a changé l’avatar du salon en <img/>",
+    "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the room avatar to <img/>": "%(senderDisplayName)s a changé l’avatar du salon en <img/>",
     "%(senderDisplayName)s removed the room avatar.": "%(senderDisplayName)s a supprimé l'avatar du salon.",
     "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the avatar for %(roomName)s": "%(senderDisplayName)s a changé l’avatar de %(roomName)s",
     "Device already verified!": "Appareil déjà vérifié !",
diff --git a/src/i18n/strings/hu.json b/src/i18n/strings/hu.json
index 38f596b8e9..f7a972b983 100644
--- a/src/i18n/strings/hu.json
+++ b/src/i18n/strings/hu.json
@@ -723,7 +723,7 @@
     "Start chatting": "Csevegés indítása",
     "Start Chatting": "Csevegés indítása",
     "Click on the button below to start chatting!": "Csevegés indításához kattints a gombra alább!",
-    "$senderDisplayName changed the room avatar to <img/>": "$senderDisplayName megváltoztatta a szoba avatar képét: <img/>",
+    "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the room avatar to <img/>": "%(senderDisplayName)s megváltoztatta a szoba avatar képét: <img/>",
     "%(senderDisplayName)s removed the room avatar.": "%(senderDisplayName)s törölte a szoba avatar képét.",
     "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the avatar for %(roomName)s": "%(senderDisplayName)s megváltoztatta %(roomName)s szoba avatar képét",
     "Username available": "Szabad felhasználói név",
diff --git a/src/i18n/strings/ko.json b/src/i18n/strings/ko.json
index 307ee762ef..98a07e629d 100644
--- a/src/i18n/strings/ko.json
+++ b/src/i18n/strings/ko.json
@@ -743,7 +743,7 @@
     "Start chatting": "이야기하기",
     "Start Chatting": "이야기하기",
     "Click on the button below to start chatting!": "이야기하려면 아래 버튼을 누르세요!",
-    "$senderDisplayName changed the room avatar to <img/>": "$senderDisplayName님이 방 아바타를 <img/>로 바꾸셨어요",
+    "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the room avatar to <img/>": "%(senderDisplayName)s님이 방 아바타를 <img/>로 바꾸셨어요",
     "%(senderDisplayName)s removed the room avatar.": "%(senderDisplayName)s님이 방 아바타를 지우셨어요.",
     "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the avatar for %(roomName)s": "%(senderDisplayName)s가 %(roomName)s 방의 아바타를 바꾸셨어요",
     "Username available": "쓸 수 있는 사용자 이름",
diff --git a/src/i18n/strings/lv.json b/src/i18n/strings/lv.json
index 0a5e999015..164b6226d9 100644
--- a/src/i18n/strings/lv.json
+++ b/src/i18n/strings/lv.json
@@ -619,7 +619,7 @@
     "Dec": "Dec.",
     "Set a display name:": "Iestatīt redzamo vārdu:",
     "This image cannot be displayed.": "Šo attēlu nav iespējams parādīt.",
-    "$senderDisplayName changed the room avatar to <img/>": "$senderDisplayName nomainīja istabas attēlu uz <img/>",
+    "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the room avatar to <img/>": "%(senderDisplayName)s nomainīja istabas attēlu uz <img/>",
     "Upload an avatar:": "Augšuplādē profila attēlu:",
     "This server does not support authentication with a phone number.": "Šis serveris neatbalsta autentifikāciju pēc telefona numura.",
     "Missing password.": "Trūkst parole.",
diff --git a/src/i18n/strings/nl.json b/src/i18n/strings/nl.json
index 38ca640fc8..c12a2ad81c 100644
--- a/src/i18n/strings/nl.json
+++ b/src/i18n/strings/nl.json
@@ -746,7 +746,7 @@
     "Start chatting": "Start met praten",
     "Start Chatting": "Start Met Praten",
     "Click on the button below to start chatting!": "Klik op de knop hieronder om te starten met praten!",
-    "$senderDisplayName changed the room avatar to <img/>": "$senderDisplayName heeft de ruimte avatar aangepast naar <img/>",
+    "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the room avatar to <img/>": "%(senderDisplayName)s heeft de ruimte avatar aangepast naar <img/>",
     "%(senderDisplayName)s removed the room avatar.": "%(senderDisplayName)s heeft de ruimte avatar verwijderd.",
     "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the avatar for %(roomName)s": "%(senderDisplayName)s veranderde de avatar voor %(roomName)s",
     "Username available": "Gebruikersnaam beschikbaar",
diff --git a/src/i18n/strings/pl.json b/src/i18n/strings/pl.json
index 0b11e26c44..66e7b2aa28 100644
--- a/src/i18n/strings/pl.json
+++ b/src/i18n/strings/pl.json
@@ -771,7 +771,7 @@
     "for %(amount)sd": "%(amount)s dni",
     "Idle": "Bezczynny",
     "Check for update": "Sprawdź aktualizacje",
-    "$senderDisplayName changed the room avatar to <img/>": "$senderDisplayName zmienił awatar pokoju na <img/>",
+    "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the room avatar to <img/>": "%(senderDisplayName)s zmienił awatar pokoju na <img/>",
     "%(senderDisplayName)s removed the room avatar.": "%(senderDisplayName)s usunął awatar pokoju.",
     "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the avatar for %(roomName)s": "%(senderDisplayName)s zmienił awatar %(roomName)s",
     "This will be your account name on the <span></span> homeserver, or you can pick a <a>different server</a>.": "To będzie twoja nazwa konta na <span></span> serwerze domowym; możesz też wybrać <a>inny serwer</a>.",
diff --git a/src/i18n/strings/pt.json b/src/i18n/strings/pt.json
index d05c7697af..3482851ebe 100644
--- a/src/i18n/strings/pt.json
+++ b/src/i18n/strings/pt.json
@@ -699,7 +699,7 @@
     "for %(amount)sd": "por %(amount)sd",
     "%(senderDisplayName)s removed the room avatar.": "%(senderDisplayName)s removeu a imagem da sala.",
     "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the avatar for %(roomName)s": "%(senderDisplayName)s alterou a imagem da sala %(roomName)s",
-    "$senderDisplayName changed the room avatar to <img/>": "$senderDisplayName alterou a imagem da sala para <img/>",
+    "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the room avatar to <img/>": "%(senderDisplayName)s alterou a imagem da sala para <img/>",
     "Missing Media Permissions, click here to request.": "Faltam permissões para uso de mídia no seu computador. Clique aqui para solicitá-las.",
     "No Microphones detected": "Não foi detetado nenhum microfone",
     "No Webcams detected": "Não foi detetada nenhuma Webcam",
diff --git a/src/i18n/strings/pt_BR.json b/src/i18n/strings/pt_BR.json
index 109c0bb6c2..691cf8d9bf 100644
--- a/src/i18n/strings/pt_BR.json
+++ b/src/i18n/strings/pt_BR.json
@@ -696,7 +696,7 @@
     "for %(amount)sd": "por %(amount)sd",
     "%(senderDisplayName)s removed the room avatar.": "%(senderDisplayName)s removeu a imagem da sala.",
     "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the avatar for %(roomName)s": "%(senderDisplayName)s alterou a imagem da sala %(roomName)s",
-    "$senderDisplayName changed the room avatar to <img/>": "$senderDisplayName alterou a imagem da sala para <img/>",
+    "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the room avatar to <img/>": "%(senderDisplayName)s alterou a imagem da sala para <img/>",
     "Missing Media Permissions, click here to request.": "Faltam permissões para uso de mídia no seu computador. Clique aqui para solicitá-las.",
     "No Microphones detected": "Não foi detectado nenhum microfone",
     "No Webcams detected": "Não foi detectada nenhuma Webcam",
diff --git a/src/i18n/strings/ru.json b/src/i18n/strings/ru.json
index 46d605c5a0..801f1e41d6 100644
--- a/src/i18n/strings/ru.json
+++ b/src/i18n/strings/ru.json
@@ -705,7 +705,7 @@
     "Idle": "Неактивен",
     "Offline": "Не в сети",
     "Disable URL previews for this room (affects only you)": "Отключить предпросмотр URL-адресов для этой комнаты (влияет только на вас)",
-    "$senderDisplayName changed the room avatar to <img/>": "$senderDisplayName сменил аватар комнаты на <img/>",
+    "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the room avatar to <img/>": "%(senderDisplayName)s сменил аватар комнаты на <img/>",
     "%(senderDisplayName)s removed the room avatar.": "%(senderDisplayName)s удалил аватар комнаты.",
     "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the avatar for %(roomName)s": "%(senderDisplayName)s сменил аватар для %(roomName)s",
     "Create new room": "Создать новую комнату",
diff --git a/src/i18n/strings/tr.json b/src/i18n/strings/tr.json
index 98be1c9a64..fdc06f741c 100644
--- a/src/i18n/strings/tr.json
+++ b/src/i18n/strings/tr.json
@@ -738,7 +738,7 @@
     "Start chatting": "Sohbeti başlat",
     "Start Chatting": "Sohbeti Başlat",
     "Click on the button below to start chatting!": "Sohbeti başlatmak için aşağıdaki butona tıklayın!",
-    "$senderDisplayName changed the room avatar to <img/>": "$senderDisplayName odanın avatarını <img/> olarak çevirdi",
+    "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the room avatar to <img/>": "%(senderDisplayName)s odanın avatarını <img/> olarak çevirdi",
     "%(senderDisplayName)s removed the room avatar.": "%(senderDisplayName)s odanın avatarını kaldırdı.",
     "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the avatar for %(roomName)s": "%(senderDisplayName)s  %(roomName)s için avatarı değiştirdi",
     "Username available": "Kullanıcı ismi uygun",
diff --git a/src/i18n/strings/zh_Hant.json b/src/i18n/strings/zh_Hant.json
index 83aadd5178..35e18b9793 100644
--- a/src/i18n/strings/zh_Hant.json
+++ b/src/i18n/strings/zh_Hant.json
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@
     "Idle": "閒置",
     "Offline": "下線",
     "Disable URL previews for this room (affects only you)": "在這個房間禁止URL預覽（只影響你）",
-    "$senderDisplayName changed the room avatar to <img/>": "$senderDisplayName 更改了聊天室的圖像為 <img/>",
+    "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the room avatar to <img/>": "%(senderDisplayName)s 更改了聊天室的圖像為 <img/>",
     "%(senderDisplayName)s removed the room avatar.": "%(senderDisplayName)s 移除了聊天室圖片。",
     "%(senderDisplayName)s changed the avatar for %(roomName)s": "%(senderDisplayName)s 更改了聊天室 %(roomName)s　圖像",
     "Cancel": "取消",
diff --git a/src/languageHandler.js b/src/languageHandler.js
index b2fc65c46d..a90b78c40e 100644
--- a/src/languageHandler.js
+++ b/src/languageHandler.js
@@ -109,8 +109,9 @@ export function _tJsx(jsxText, patterns, subs) {
     }
 
     // The translation returns text so there's no XSS vector here (no unsafe HTML, no code execution)
-    const tJsxText = _t(jsxText);
+    const tJsxText = _t(jsxText, {interpolate: false});
     const output = [tJsxText];
+
     for (let i = 0; i < patterns.length; i++) {
         // convert the last element in 'output' into 3 elements (pre-text, sub function, post-text).
         // Rinse and repeat for other patterns (using post-text).