diff --git a/federation/eventauth/eventauth.go b/federation/eventauth/eventauth.go
index 32b4424b..eac110a3 100644
--- a/federation/eventauth/eventauth.go
+++ b/federation/eventauth/eventauth.go
@@ -484,7 +484,7 @@ func authorizeMember(roomVersion id.RoomVersion, evt, createEvt *pdu.PDU, authEv
 			}
 			return ErrCantLeaveWithoutBeingInRoom
 		}
-		if senderMembership != event.MembershipLeave {
+		if senderMembership != event.MembershipJoin {
 			// 5.5.2. If the sender’s current membership state is not join, reject.
 			return ErrCantKickWithoutBeingInRoom
 		}