diff --git a/changelog.d/+cde4a9ec3.bugfix.md b/changelog.d/+cde4a9ec3.bugfix.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..bd8e32adf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/+cde4a9ec3.bugfix.md
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Fixed freshly left room failing to sync.
diff --git a/src/api/client/sync/v3/left.rs b/src/api/client/sync/v3/left.rs
index 209387713..83077a9df 100644
--- a/src/api/client/sync/v3/left.rs
+++ b/src/api/client/sync/v3/left.rs
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ async fn build_left_state_and_timeline(
 		.and_then(|limit| limit.try_into().ok())
 		.unwrap_or(DEFAULT_TIMELINE_LIMIT);
 
-	let timeline = load_timeline(
+	let mut timeline = load_timeline(
 		services,
 		syncing_user,
 		room_id,
@@ -240,6 +240,20 @@ async fn build_left_state_and_timeline(
 	)
 	.await?;
 
+	// the timeline index can lag behind the leave PDU, so `load_timeline` may omit
+	// it. we already hold the leave event, so ensure it's always synced to the
+	// client.
+	let leave_synced = timeline
+		.pdus
+		.iter()
+		.any(|(_, pdu)| pdu.event_id() == leave_membership_event.event_id());
+
+	if !leave_synced {
+		timeline
+			.pdus
+			.push_back((timeline_end_count, leave_membership_event));
+	}
+
 	let lazily_loaded_members =
 		prepare_lazily_loaded_members(services, sync_context, room_id, timeline.senders()).await;