diff --git a/changelog.d/15167.misc b/changelog.d/15167.misc
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..175c2a3b8385
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/15167.misc
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Remove dangling reference to being a reference implementation in docstring.
diff --git a/synapse/__init__.py b/synapse/__init__.py
index fbfd506a43d0..a203ed533ae5 100644
--- a/synapse/__init__.py
+++ b/synapse/__init__.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 # Copyright 2014-2016 OpenMarket Ltd
-# Copyright 2018-9 New Vector Ltd
+# Copyright 2018-2019 New Vector Ltd
+# Copyright 2023 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.
@@ -13,7 +14,7 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
-""" This is a reference implementation of a Matrix homeserver.
+""" This is an implementation of a Matrix homeserver.
 """
 
 import json