diff --git a/src/createRoom.ts b/src/createRoom.ts
index 25e7257289d..daf8594e23b 100644
--- a/src/createRoom.ts
+++ b/src/createRoom.ts
@@ -219,7 +219,19 @@ export default async function createRoom(opts: IOpts): Promise<string | null> {
     if (opts.spinner) modal = Modal.createDialog(Spinner, null, 'mx_Dialog_spinner');
 
     let roomId;
-    return client.createRoom(createOpts).finally(function() {
+    return client.createRoom(createOpts).catch(function(err) {
+        // NB This checks for the Synapse-specific error condition of a room creation
+        // having been denied because the requesting user wanted to publish the room,
+        // but the server denies them that permission (via room_list_publication_rules).
+        // The check below responds by retrying without publishing the room.
+        if (err.httpStatus === 403 && err.errcode === "M_UNKNOWN" && err.data.error === "Not allowed to publish room") {
+            console.warn("Failed to publish room, try again without publishing it");
+            createOpts.visibility = Visibility.Private;
+            return client.createRoom(createOpts);
+        } else {
+            return Promise.reject(err);
+        }
+    }).finally(function() {
         if (modal) modal.close();
     }).then(function(res) {
         roomId = res.room_id;