diff --git a/synapse/api/errors.py b/synapse/api/errors.py
index 477ca07a24..70400347bc 100644
--- a/synapse/api/errors.py
+++ b/synapse/api/errors.py
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ class Codes(object):
     CANNOT_LEAVE_SERVER_NOTICE_ROOM = "M_CANNOT_LEAVE_SERVER_NOTICE_ROOM"
     MAU_LIMIT_EXCEEDED = "M_MAU_LIMIT_EXCEEDED"
     UNSUPPORTED_ROOM_VERSION = "M_UNSUPPORTED_ROOM_VERSION"
+    INCOMPATIBLE_ROOM_VERSION = "M_INCOMPATIBLE_ROOM_VERSION"
 
 
 class CodeMessageException(RuntimeError):
@@ -287,6 +288,27 @@ class LimitExceededError(SynapseError):
         )
 
 
+class IncompatibleRoomVersionError(SynapseError):
+    """A server is trying to join a room whose version it does not support."""
+
+    def __init__(self, room_version):
+        super(IncompatibleRoomVersionError, self).__init__(
+            code=400,
+            msg="Your homeserver does not support the features required to "
+                "join this room",
+            errcode=Codes.INCOMPATIBLE_ROOM_VERSION,
+        )
+
+        self._room_version = room_version
+
+    def error_dict(self):
+        return cs_error(
+            self.msg,
+            self.errcode,
+            room_version=self._room_version,
+        )
+
+
 def cs_error(msg, code=Codes.UNKNOWN, **kwargs):
     """ Utility method for constructing an error response for client-server
     interactions.
diff --git a/synapse/federation/federation_server.py b/synapse/federation/federation_server.py
index bf89d568af..2b62f687b6 100644
--- a/synapse/federation/federation_server.py
+++ b/synapse/federation/federation_server.py
@@ -27,7 +27,13 @@ from twisted.internet.abstract import isIPAddress
 from twisted.python import failure
 
 from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes
-from synapse.api.errors import AuthError, FederationError, NotFoundError, SynapseError
+from synapse.api.errors import (
+    AuthError,
+    FederationError,
+    IncompatibleRoomVersionError,
+    NotFoundError,
+    SynapseError,
+)
 from synapse.crypto.event_signing import compute_event_signature
 from synapse.federation.federation_base import FederationBase, event_from_pdu_json
 from synapse.federation.persistence import TransactionActions
@@ -323,12 +329,21 @@ class FederationServer(FederationBase):
         defer.returnValue((200, resp))
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def on_make_join_request(self, origin, room_id, user_id):
+    def on_make_join_request(self, origin, room_id, user_id, supported_versions):
         origin_host, _ = parse_server_name(origin)
         yield self.check_server_matches_acl(origin_host, room_id)
+
+        room_version = yield self.store.get_room_version(room_id)
+        if room_version not in supported_versions:
+            logger.warn("Room version %s not in %s", room_version, supported_versions)
+            raise IncompatibleRoomVersionError(room_version=room_version)
+
         pdu = yield self.handler.on_make_join_request(room_id, user_id)
         time_now = self._clock.time_msec()
-        defer.returnValue({"event": pdu.get_pdu_json(time_now)})
+        defer.returnValue({
+            "event": pdu.get_pdu_json(time_now),
+            "room_version": room_version,
+        })
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_invite_request(self, origin, content):
diff --git a/synapse/federation/transport/server.py b/synapse/federation/transport/server.py
index 93bd899b86..77969a4f38 100644
--- a/synapse/federation/transport/server.py
+++ b/synapse/federation/transport/server.py
@@ -431,9 +431,31 @@ class FederationMakeJoinServlet(BaseFederationServlet):
     PATH = "/make_join/(?P<context>[^/]*)/(?P<user_id>[^/]*)"
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def on_GET(self, origin, content, query, context, user_id):
+    def on_GET(self, origin, _content, query, context, user_id):
+        """
+        Args:
+            origin (unicode): The authenticated server_name of the calling server
+
+            _content (None): (GETs don't have bodies)
+
+            query (dict[bytes, list[bytes]]): Query params from the request.
+
+            **kwargs (dict[unicode, unicode]): the dict mapping keys to path
+                components as specified in the path match regexp.
+
+        Returns:
+            Deferred[(int, object)|None]: either (response code, response object) to
+                 return a JSON response, or None if the request has already been handled.
+        """
+        versions = query.get(b'ver')
+        if versions is not None:
+            supported_versions = [v.decode("utf-8") for v in versions]
+        else:
+            supported_versions = ["1"]
+
         content = yield self.handler.on_make_join_request(
             origin, context, user_id,
+            supported_versions=supported_versions,
         )
         defer.returnValue((200, content))