diff --git a/changelog.d/5780.misc b/changelog.d/5780.misc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..b7eb56e625
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/5780.misc
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Allow looping calls to be given arguments.
diff --git a/synapse/util/__init__.py b/synapse/util/__init__.py
index 841625a991..7856353002 100644
--- a/synapse/util/__init__.py
+++ b/synapse/util/__init__.py
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ class Clock(object):
         """Returns the current system time in miliseconds since epoch."""
         return int(self.time() * 1000)
 
-    def looping_call(self, f, msec):
+    def looping_call(self, f, msec, *args, **kwargs):
         """Call a function repeatedly.
 
         Waits `msec` initially before calling `f` for the first time.
@@ -70,8 +70,10 @@ class Clock(object):
         Args:
             f(function): The function to call repeatedly.
             msec(float): How long to wait between calls in milliseconds.
+            *args: Postional arguments to pass to function.
+            **kwargs: Key arguments to pass to function.
         """
-        call = task.LoopingCall(f)
+        call = task.LoopingCall(f, *args, **kwargs)
         call.clock = self._reactor
         d = call.start(msec / 1000.0, now=False)
         d.addErrback(log_failure, "Looping call died", consumeErrors=False)