diff --git a/synapse/handlers/auth.py b/synapse/handlers/auth.py
index 62e82a2570..7a4afe446d 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/auth.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/auth.py
@@ -477,4 +477,4 @@ class AuthHandler(BaseHandler):
         Returns:
             Whether self.hash(password) == stored_hash (bool).
         """
-        return bcrypt.checkpw(password, stored_hash)
+        return bcrypt.hashpw(password, stored_hash) == stored_hash