diff --git a/synapse/app/synctl.py b/synapse/app/synctl.py
index b0e1b5e66a..712dfa870e 100755
--- a/synapse/app/synctl.py
+++ b/synapse/app/synctl.py
@@ -252,6 +252,7 @@ def main():
             for running_pid in running_pids:
                 while pid_running(running_pid):
                     time.sleep(0.2)
+            write("All processes exited; now restarting...")
 
     if action == "start" or action == "restart":
         if start_stop_synapse: