diff --git a/synapse/handlers/user_directory.py b/synapse/handlers/user_directory.py
index 197a826daa..a9f062df4b 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/user_directory.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/user_directory.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 
 import logging
+import synapse.metrics
 
 from six import iteritems