diff --git a/synapse/storage/engines/__init__.py b/synapse/storage/engines/__init__.py
index ab070f342..f661e4803 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/engines/__init__.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/engines/__init__.py
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 
 from ._base import IncorrectDatabaseSetup
+assert IncorrectDatabaseSetup  # Appease PEP8
+
 from .postgres import PostgresEngine
 from .sqlite3 import Sqlite3Engine