diff --git a/synapse/storage/events.py b/synapse/storage/events.py
index 826fad307..389087817 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/events.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/events.py
@@ -283,10 +283,11 @@ class EventsStore(EventsWorkerStore):
     def _maybe_start_persisting(self, room_id):
         @defer.inlineCallbacks
         def persisting_queue(item):
-            yield self._persist_events(
-                item.events_and_contexts,
-                backfilled=item.backfilled,
-            )
+            with Measure(self._clock, "persist_events"):
+                yield self._persist_events(
+                    item.events_and_contexts,
+                    backfilled=item.backfilled,
+                )
 
         self._event_persist_queue.handle_queue(room_id, persisting_queue)