diff --git a/mautrix_telegram/portal/metadata.py b/mautrix_telegram/portal/metadata.py
index 02a12384..a8c18702 100644
--- a/mautrix_telegram/portal/metadata.py
+++ b/mautrix_telegram/portal/metadata.py
@@ -450,7 +450,7 @@ def _get_base_power_levels(self, levels: PowerLevelStateEventContent = None,
             levels.kick = overrides.get("kick", 50)
             levels.redact = overrides.get("redact", 50)
             levels.invite = overrides.get("invite", 50 if dbr.invite_users else 0)
-            levels.events[EventType.ROOM_ENCRYPTION] = 99
+            levels.events[EventType.ROOM_ENCRYPTION] = 50 if self.matrix.e2ee else 99
             levels.events[EventType.ROOM_TOMBSTONE] = 99
             levels.events[EventType.ROOM_NAME] = 50 if dbr.change_info else 0
             levels.events[EventType.ROOM_AVATAR] = 50 if dbr.change_info else 0