diff --git a/synapse/handlers/federation.py b/synapse/handlers/federation.py
index 145c1a21d4..49068c06d9 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/federation.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/federation.py
@@ -1279,7 +1279,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
     @log_function
     def on_make_leave_request(self, room_id, user_id):
         """ We've received a /make_leave/ request, so we create a partial
-        join event for the room and return that. We do *not* persist or
+        leave event for the room and return that. We do *not* persist or
         process it until the other server has signed it and sent it back.
         """
         builder = self.event_builder_factory.new({