diff --git a/federation/eventauth/eventauth.go b/federation/eventauth/eventauth.go
index eac110a3..c72933c2 100644
--- a/federation/eventauth/eventauth.go
+++ b/federation/eventauth/eventauth.go
@@ -505,7 +505,7 @@ func authorizeMember(roomVersion id.RoomVersion, evt, createEvt *pdu.PDU, authEv
 		// 5.5.5. Otherwise, reject.
 		return ErrInsufficientPermissionForKick
 	case event.MembershipBan:
-		if senderMembership != event.MembershipLeave {
+		if senderMembership != event.MembershipJoin {
 			// 5.6.1. If the sender’s current membership state is not join, reject.
 			return ErrCantBanWithoutBeingInRoom
 		}