diff --git a/matrix_alertbot/matrix.py b/matrix_alertbot/matrix.py
index 0580749..8112201 100644
--- a/matrix_alertbot/matrix.py
+++ b/matrix_alertbot/matrix.py
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ class MatrixClientPool:
     ) -> None:
         async with self._lock:
             if matrix_client is self.matrix_client:
-                unactive_accounts = self.unactive_user_ids()
+                unactive_user_ids = self.unactive_user_ids()
 
                 self.dm_rooms = await self.find_existing_dm_rooms(
                     account=account, matrix_client=matrix_client, config=config
@@ -262,13 +262,16 @@ class MatrixClientPool:
                     logger.info(
                         f"Bot {account.id} | Creating direct room with user {user_id}"
                     )
-                    invitations = unactive_accounts + [user_id]
+                    invitations = unactive_user_ids + [user_id]
+                    room_user_ids = invitations + [account.id]
+                    power_levels = {"users": dict.fromkeys(room_user_ids, 100)}
                     create_room_response = await matrix_client.room_create(
                         visibility=RoomVisibility.private,
                         name=room_title,
                         invite=invitations,
                         is_direct=True,
                         preset=RoomPreset.private_chat,
+                        power_level_override=power_levels,
                     )
                     if isinstance(create_room_response, RoomCreateError):
                         error = create_room_response.message
diff --git a/tests/test_matrix.py b/tests/test_matrix.py
index d57135e..e23c8fa 100644
--- a/tests/test_matrix.py
+++ b/tests/test_matrix.py
@@ -476,6 +476,13 @@ class MatrixClientPoolTestCase(unittest.IsolatedAsyncioTestCase):
             invite=["@other_user:chat.example.com", "@fake_dm_user:example.com"],
             is_direct=True,
             preset=RoomPreset.private_chat,
+            power_level_override={
+                "users": {
+                    "@fake_user:matrix.example.com": 100,
+                    "@other_user:chat.example.com": 100,
+                    "@fake_dm_user:example.com": 100,
+                }
+            },
         )
         self.assertDictEqual(
             {
@@ -528,6 +535,13 @@ class MatrixClientPoolTestCase(unittest.IsolatedAsyncioTestCase):
             invite=["@other_user:chat.example.com", "@fake_dm_user:example.com"],
             is_direct=True,
             preset=RoomPreset.private_chat,
+            power_level_override={
+                "users": {
+                    "@fake_user:matrix.example.com": 100,
+                    "@other_user:chat.example.com": 100,
+                    "@fake_dm_user:example.com": 100,
+                }
+            },
         )
         self.assertDictEqual(
             {
@@ -581,6 +595,13 @@ class MatrixClientPoolTestCase(unittest.IsolatedAsyncioTestCase):
             invite=["@other_user:chat.example.com", "@fake_dm_user:example.com"],
             is_direct=True,
             preset=RoomPreset.private_chat,
+            power_level_override={
+                "users": {
+                    "@fake_user:matrix.example.com": 100,
+                    "@other_user:chat.example.com": 100,
+                    "@fake_dm_user:example.com": 100,
+                }
+            },
         )
         self.assertDictEqual(
             {
@@ -631,6 +652,13 @@ class MatrixClientPoolTestCase(unittest.IsolatedAsyncioTestCase):
             invite=["@other_user:chat.example.com", "@fake_dm_user:example.com"],
             is_direct=True,
             preset=RoomPreset.private_chat,
+            power_level_override={
+                "users": {
+                    "@fake_user:matrix.example.com": 100,
+                    "@other_user:chat.example.com": 100,
+                    "@fake_dm_user:example.com": 100,
+                }
+            },
         )
         self.assertDictEqual(
             {