diff --git a/synapse/handlers/message.py b/synapse/handlers/message.py
 index 7aaa4fba33..05d1370c18 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/message.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/message.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ from canonicaljson import encode_canonical_json, json
 from twisted.internet import defer
 from twisted.internet.defer import succeed
 
-from synapse.api.constants import MAX_DEPTH, EventTypes, Membership
+from synapse.api.constants import MAX_DEPTH, EventTypes, Membership, RoomVersions
 from synapse.api.errors import (
     AuthError,
     Codes,
@@ -288,7 +288,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
 
         builder = self.event_builder_factory.new(room_version, event_dict)
 
-        self.validator.validate_new(builder)
+        self.validator.validate_builder(builder)
 
         if builder.type == EventTypes.Member:
             membership = builder.content.get("membership", None)
@@ -326,6 +326,8 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
             prev_events_and_hashes=prev_events_and_hashes,
         )
 
+        self.validator.validate_new(event)
+
         defer.returnValue((event, context))
 
     def _is_exempt_from_privacy_policy(self, builder, requester):
@@ -611,8 +613,13 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
             extra_users (list(UserID)): Any extra users to notify about event
         """
 
+        if event.is_state() and (event.type, event.state_key) == (EventTypes.Create, ""):
+            room_version = event.content.get("room_version", RoomVersions.V1)
+        else:
+            room_version = yield self.store.get_room_version(event.room_id)
+
         try:
-            yield self.auth.check_from_context(event, context)
+            yield self.auth.check_from_context(room_version, event, context)
         except AuthError as err:
             logger.warn("Denying new event %r because %s", event, err)
             raise err
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