diff -U4 -r exim-4.69/src/smtp_in.c exim-4.69+always-require-helo-cmd/src/smtp_in.c
--- exim-4.69/src/smtp_in.c	2007-09-28 13:21:57.000000000 +0100
+++ exim-4.69+always-require-helo-cmd/src/smtp_in.c	2008-01-26 10:07:13.000000000 +0000
@@ -3172,13 +3172,14 @@
     HAD(SCH_MAIL);
     smtp_mailcmd_count++;              /* Count for limit and ratelimit */
     was_rej_mail = TRUE;               /* Reset if accepted */
 
-    if (helo_required && !helo_seen)
+    /* RFC 2821 4.1.1.1:
+       "In any event, a client MUST issue HELO or EHLO before starting a mail transaction" */
+    if (/*helo_required &&*/ !helo_seen)
       {
-      smtp_printf("503 HELO or EHLO required\r\n");
-      log_write(0, LOG_MAIN|LOG_REJECT, "rejected MAIL from %s: no "
-        "HELO/EHLO given", host_and_ident(FALSE));
+      done = synprot_error(L_smtp_protocol_error, 503, NULL,
+        US"HELO/EHLO required");
       break;
       }
 
     if (sender_address != NULL)