diff --git a/changelog.d/7760.bugfix b/changelog.d/7760.bugfix
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f6081f3d3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/7760.bugfix
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Fix incorrect error message when database CTYPE was set incorrectly.
diff --git a/synapse/storage/engines/postgres.py b/synapse/storage/engines/postgres.py
index 6c7d08a6f..a31588080 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/engines/postgres.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/engines/postgres.py
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ class PostgresEngine(BaseDatabaseEngine):
             errors.append("    - 'COLLATE' is set to %r. Should be 'C'" % (collation,))
 
         if ctype != "C":
-            errors.append("    - 'CTYPE' is set to %r. Should be 'C'" % (collation,))
+            errors.append("    - 'CTYPE' is set to %r. Should be 'C'" % (ctype,))
 
         if errors:
             raise IncorrectDatabaseSetup(