Grant Percival believed he had been grooming the teen online and encouraged her to meet for sex.
However the 33-year-old from Carlisle had been chatting with a member of a group which snares people attempting to talk to underage children.
The person running the profile told Percival they were underage and had yet to lose their virginity – but he wasn't put off and still wanted to meet.
On February 2, Percival went to a hotel in Leigh, Lancashire, believing he was going to meet his victim.
Instead, he was met by a team of paedophile hunters and was later arrested by the police.
He was sentenced to two years in prison after admitting the charge and told he would need to serve at least 16 months before he could apply for bail.
Sentencing, Judge Timothy Clayson, said: “You attempted to meet a child after sexually grooming them on February 2 – a matter you admitted before the magistrates.
“The facts of the case are that a fake profile for a 15-year-old girl was set up on an adult social media site. You contacted this profile and exchanged messages.
“You wanted to go to a hotel and wanted to engage in sexual activities with this person. You said you wanted to kiss her, have sex and for you two to be boyfriend and girlfriend.
“The profile indicated that they were a 15-year-old virgin but you still wanted to meet.
“As you went to the hotel in Leigh, you got there and the police had been called and you were arrested.
“It has to be said that because you have history and the fact that you have committed an offence of this nature, I do determine that you present a significant risk to members of the public.
“I give you two years and you will serve at least 16 months imprisonment before you can apply for parole. I will also serve upon you a sexual harm prevention order for a period of 10 years.”
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