diff --git a/synapse/util/retryutils.py b/synapse/util/retryutils.py
index ab58eb528b..4e82232796 100644
--- a/synapse/util/retryutils.py
+++ b/synapse/util/retryutils.py
@@ -17,8 +17,6 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.api.errors import CodeMessageException
 
-from synapse.util.async import run_on_reactor
-
 import logging