diff --git a/synapse/storage/appservice.py b/synapse/storage/appservice.py
index cd15843ba3..533fac4972 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/appservice.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/appservice.py
@@ -13,8 +13,6 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
-from twisted.internet import defer
-
 from synapse.api.errors import StoreError
 
 from ._base import SQLBaseStore