diff --git a/synapse/federation/transport/server.py b/synapse/federation/transport/server.py
index d2a57d08d..4c94d5a36 100644
--- a/synapse/federation/transport/server.py
+++ b/synapse/federation/transport/server.py
@@ -94,6 +94,12 @@ class Authenticator(object):
             "signatures": {},
         }
 
+        if (
+            self.federation_domain_whitelist is not None and
+            self.server_name not in self.federation_domain_whitelist
+        ):
+            raise FederationDeniedError(self.server_name)
+
         if content is not None:
             json_request["content"] = content
 
@@ -132,12 +138,6 @@ class Authenticator(object):
                 json_request["origin"] = origin
                 json_request["signatures"].setdefault(origin, {})[key] = sig
 
-        if (
-            self.federation_domain_whitelist is not None and
-            origin not in self.federation_domain_whitelist
-        ):
-            raise FederationDeniedError(self.server_name)
-
         if not json_request["signatures"]:
             raise NoAuthenticationError(
                 401, "Missing Authorization headers", Codes.UNAUTHORIZED,