diff --git a/changelog.d/16550.doc b/changelog.d/16550.doc
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..77ba422a0689
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/16550.doc
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Pin the recommended poetry version in contributors' guide.
diff --git a/docs/development/contributing_guide.md b/docs/development/contributing_guide.md
index 4ae2fcfee3a5..2efb4099e5ec 100644
--- a/docs/development/contributing_guide.md
+++ b/docs/development/contributing_guide.md
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ Of their installation methods, we recommend
 
 ```shell
 pip install --user pipx
-pipx install poetry
+pipx install poetry==1.5.2  # Problems with Poetry 1.6, see https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/16147
 ```
 
 but see poetry's [installation instructions](https://python-poetry.org/docs/#installation)