diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v1/push_rule.py b/synapse/rest/client/v1/push_rule.py
index 9fd4908136..c27e05d1dc 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v1/push_rule.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v1/push_rule.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
-# Copyright 2014-2016 OpenMarket Ltd
+# Copyright 2014-2020 The Matrix.org Foundation C.I.C.
 #
 # Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
 # you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ def _check_actions(actions):
         raise InvalidRuleException("No actions found")
 
     for a in actions:
-        if a in ["notify", "dont_notify", "coalesce"]:
+        if a in ["notify", "dont_notify", "coalesce", "mark_unread"]:
             pass
         elif isinstance(a, dict) and "set_tweak" in a:
             pass
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/event_push_actions.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/event_push_actions.py
index 8ad7a306f8..a86a6a1bed 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/event_push_actions.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/event_push_actions.py
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
-# Copyright 2015 OpenMarket Ltd
-# Copyright 2018 New Vector Ltd
+# Copyright 2015-2020 The Matrix.org Foundation C.I.C.
 #
 # Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
 # you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -437,7 +436,7 @@ class EventPushActionsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         # can be used to insert into the `event_push_actions_staging` table.
         def _gen_entry(user_id, actions):
             is_highlight = 1 if _action_has_highlight(actions) else 0
-            notif = 0 if "dont_push" in actions else 1
+            notif = 0 if "mark_unread" in actions else 1
             return (
                 event_id,  # event_id column
                 user_id,  # user_id column