diff --git a/zerver/lib/email_mirror_helpers.py b/zerver/lib/email_mirror_helpers.py
index c1b267cf32..4c91066266 100644
--- a/zerver/lib/email_mirror_helpers.py
+++ b/zerver/lib/email_mirror_helpers.py
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ def encode_email_address_helper(name: str, email_token: str, show_sender: bool =
     if encoded_name:
         encoded_token = f"{encoded_name}.{email_token}"
     else:
-        encoded_token = email_token
+        encoded_token = f"channel.{email_token}"
 
     if show_sender:
         encoded_token += ".show-sender"