diff --git a/changelog.d/9718.removal b/changelog.d/9718.removal
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6de781421
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/9718.removal
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Replace deprecated `imp` module with successor `importlib`. Contributed by Cristina Muñoz.
diff --git a/synapse/storage/prepare_database.py b/synapse/storage/prepare_database.py
index 6c3c2da52..c7f0b8ccb 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/prepare_database.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/prepare_database.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 # WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
-import imp
+import importlib.util
 import logging
 import os
 import re
@@ -454,8 +454,13 @@ def _upgrade_existing_database(
                     )
 
                 module_name = "synapse.storage.v%d_%s" % (v, root_name)
-                with open(absolute_path) as python_file:
-                    module = imp.load_source(module_name, absolute_path, python_file)  # type: ignore
+
+                spec = importlib.util.spec_from_file_location(
+                    module_name, absolute_path
+                )
+                module = importlib.util.module_from_spec(spec)
+                spec.loader.exec_module(module)  # type: ignore
+
                 logger.info("Running script %s", relative_path)
                 module.run_create(cur, database_engine)  # type: ignore
                 if not is_empty: