diff --git a/syncapi/routing/context.go b/syncapi/routing/context.go
index b0c91c40b..eb4bd1cc0 100644
--- a/syncapi/routing/context.go
+++ b/syncapi/routing/context.go
@@ -157,6 +157,9 @@ func Context(
 		}
 	}
 
+	// Limit is split up for before/after events
+	filter.Limit = filter.Limit / 2
+
 	eventsBefore, err := snapshot.SelectContextBeforeEvent(ctx, id, roomID, filter)
 	if err != nil && err != sql.ErrNoRows {
 		logrus.WithError(err).Error("unable to fetch before events")