diff --git a/synapse/handlers/message.py b/synapse/handlers/message.py
index db89491b4..5d18aaacf 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/message.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/message.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes, Membership
-from synapse.api.errors import RoomError, SynapseError
+from synapse.api.errors import SynapseError
 from synapse.streams.config import PaginationConfig
 from synapse.events.utils import serialize_event
 from synapse.events.validator import EventValidator
@@ -277,13 +277,19 @@ class MessageHandler(BaseHandler):
         Raises:
             SynapseError if something went wrong.
         """
-        have_joined = yield self.auth.check_joined_room(room_id, user_id)
-        if not have_joined:
-            raise RoomError(403, "User not in room.")
+        member_event = yield self.auth.check_user_was_in_room(room_id, user_id)
+
+        if member_event.membership == Membership.JOIN:
+            data = yield self.state_handler.get_current_state(
+                room_id, event_type, state_key
+            )
+        elif member_event.membership == Membership.LEAVE:
+            key = (event_type, state_key)
+            room_state = yield self.store.get_state_for_events(
+                room_id, [member_event.event_id], [key]
+            )
+            data = room_state[member_event.event_id].get(key)
 
-        data = yield self.state_handler.get_current_state(
-            room_id, event_type, state_key
-        )
         defer.returnValue(data)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
diff --git a/tests/rest/client/v1/test_rooms.py b/tests/rest/client/v1/test_rooms.py
index d50cfe429..ed0ac8d5c 100644
--- a/tests/rest/client/v1/test_rooms.py
+++ b/tests/rest/client/v1/test_rooms.py
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ class RoomPermissionsTestCase(RestTestCase):
                            "PUT", topic_path, topic_content)
         self.assertEquals(403, code, msg=str(response))
         (code, response) = yield self.mock_resource.trigger_get(topic_path)
-        self.assertEquals(403, code, msg=str(response))
+        self.assertEquals(200, code, msg=str(response))
 
         # get topic in PUBLIC room, not joined, expect 403
         (code, response) = yield self.mock_resource.trigger_get(
@@ -301,11 +301,11 @@ class RoomPermissionsTestCase(RestTestCase):
             room=room, expect_code=200)
 
         # get membership of self, get membership of other, private room + left
-        # expect all 403s
+        # expect all 200s
         yield self.leave(room=room, user=self.user_id)
         yield self._test_get_membership(
             members=[self.user_id, self.rmcreator_id],
-            room=room, expect_code=403)
+            room=room, expect_code=200)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def test_membership_public_room_perms(self):
@@ -326,11 +326,11 @@ class RoomPermissionsTestCase(RestTestCase):
             room=room, expect_code=200)
 
         # get membership of self, get membership of other, public room + left
-        # expect 403.
+        # expect 200.
         yield self.leave(room=room, user=self.user_id)
         yield self._test_get_membership(
             members=[self.user_id, self.rmcreator_id],
-            room=room, expect_code=403)
+            room=room, expect_code=200)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def test_invited_permissions(self):