diff --git a/changelogs/server_server/newsfragments/1070.clarification b/changelogs/server_server/newsfragments/1070.clarification
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6661503e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelogs/server_server/newsfragments/1070.clarification
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Clarify that checks on PDUs should refer to the state _before_ an event.
diff --git a/content/server-server-api.md b/content/server-server-api.md
index 991806af..24b6a889 100644
--- a/content/server-server-api.md
+++ b/content/server-server-api.md
@@ -364,7 +364,7 @@ server must ensure that the event:
     further.
 4.  Passes authorization rules based on the event's auth events,
     otherwise it is rejected.
-5.  Passes authorization rules based on the state at the event,
+5.  Passes authorization rules based on the state before the event,
     otherwise it is rejected.
 6.  Passes authorization rules based on the current state of the room,
     otherwise it is "soft failed".