diff --git a/main.py b/main.py
index 694896d..1eb57b0 100644
--- a/main.py
+++ b/main.py
@@ -53,7 +53,8 @@ from matrix.server import (
 )
 
 from matrix.bar_items import (init_bar_items, matrix_bar_item_name,
-                              matrix_bar_item_plugin, matrix_bar_item_lag)
+                              matrix_bar_item_plugin, matrix_bar_item_lag,
+                              matrix_bar_item_buffer_modes)
 
 from matrix.completion import (
     init_completion, matrix_command_completion_cb,
diff --git a/matrix/bar_items.py b/matrix/bar_items.py
index 3958483..db67a3c 100644
--- a/matrix/bar_items.py
+++ b/matrix/bar_items.py
@@ -85,7 +85,28 @@ def matrix_bar_item_lag(data, item, window, buffer, extra_info):
     return ""
 
 
+@utf8_decode
+def matrix_bar_item_buffer_modes(data, item, window, buffer, extra_info):
+    # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+    for server in SERVERS.values():
+        if buffer in server.buffers.values():
+            room_id = key_from_value(server.buffers, buffer)
+            room = server.rooms[room_id]
+            modes = []
+
+            if room.encrypted:
+                modes.append("🔐")
+
+            if room.backlog_pending:
+                modes.append("⏳")
+
+            return "".join(modes)
+
+    return ""
+
+
 def init_bar_items():
     W.bar_item_new("(extra)buffer_plugin", "matrix_bar_item_plugin", "")
     W.bar_item_new("(extra)buffer_name", "matrix_bar_item_name", "")
     W.bar_item_new("(extra)lag", "matrix_bar_item_lag", "")
+    W.bar_item_new("(extra)buffer_modes", "matrix_bar_item_buffer_modes", "")
diff --git a/matrix/commands.py b/matrix/commands.py
index dacd4e7..759d2bd 100644
--- a/matrix/commands.py
+++ b/matrix/commands.py
@@ -109,6 +109,7 @@ def matrix_fetch_old_messages(server, room_id):
         token=prev_batch,
         limit=OPTIONS.backlog_limit)
     room.backlog_pending = True
+    W.bar_item_update("buffer_modes")
 
     server.send_or_queue(message)
 
diff --git a/matrix/events.py b/matrix/events.py
index cb84365..ad241a3 100644
--- a/matrix/events.py
+++ b/matrix/events.py
@@ -344,6 +344,7 @@ class MatrixBacklogEvent(MatrixEvent):
 
         room.prev_batch = self.end_token
         room.backlog_pending = False
+        W.bar_item_update("buffer_modes")
 
 
 class MatrixSyncEvent(MatrixEvent):