diff --git a/docs/server_notices.md b/docs/server_notices.md
index 221553b24d..58f8776319 100644
--- a/docs/server_notices.md
+++ b/docs/server_notices.md
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ Server Notices
 channel whereby server administrators can send messages to users on the server.
 
 They are used as part of communication of the server polices(see
-[consent_tracking.md](consent_tracking.md)), however the intention is that 
+[consent_tracking.md](consent_tracking.md)), however the intention is that
 they may also find a use for features such as "Message of the day".
 
 This is a feature specific to Synapse, but it uses standard Matrix
@@ -24,7 +24,10 @@ history; it will appear to have come from the 'server notices user' (see
 below).
 
 The user is prevented from sending any messages in this room by the power
-levels. They also cannot leave it.
+levels.
+
+Having joined the room, the user can leave the room if they want. Subsequent
+server notices will then cause a new room to be created.
 
 Synapse configuration
 ---------------------
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/room_member.py b/synapse/handlers/room_member.py
index 82adfc8fdf..f930e939e8 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/room_member.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/room_member.py
@@ -298,16 +298,6 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
             is_blocked = yield self.store.is_room_blocked(room_id)
             if is_blocked:
                 raise SynapseError(403, "This room has been blocked on this server")
-        else:
-            # we don't allow people to reject invites to, or leave, the
-            # server notice room.
-            is_blocked = yield self._is_server_notice_room(room_id)
-            if is_blocked:
-                raise SynapseError(
-                    http_client.FORBIDDEN,
-                    "You cannot leave this room",
-                    errcode=Codes.CANNOT_LEAVE_SERVER_NOTICE_ROOM,
-                )
 
         if effective_membership_state == Membership.INVITE:
             # block any attempts to invite the server notices mxid
@@ -383,6 +373,20 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
                 if same_sender and same_membership and same_content:
                     defer.returnValue(old_state)
 
+            # we don't allow people to reject invites to the server notice
+            # room, but they can leave it once they are joined.
+            if (
+                old_membership == Membership.INVITE and
+                effective_membership_state == Membership.LEAVE
+            ):
+                is_blocked = yield self._is_server_notice_room(room_id)
+                if is_blocked:
+                    raise SynapseError(
+                        http_client.FORBIDDEN,
+                        "You cannot reject this invite",
+                        errcode=Codes.CANNOT_LEAVE_SERVER_NOTICE_ROOM,
+                    )
+
         is_host_in_room = yield self._is_host_in_room(current_state_ids)
 
         if effective_membership_state == Membership.JOIN: