diff --git a/changelog.d/3927.misc b/changelog.d/3927.misc
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4bd8e25f6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/3927.misc
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Log exceptions thrown by background tasks
diff --git a/synapse/metrics/background_process_metrics.py b/synapse/metrics/background_process_metrics.py
index 167167be0..173908299 100644
--- a/synapse/metrics/background_process_metrics.py
+++ b/synapse/metrics/background_process_metrics.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
+import logging
 import threading
 
 import six
@@ -23,6 +24,9 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.util.logcontext import LoggingContext, PreserveLoggingContext
 
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
 _background_process_start_count = Counter(
     "synapse_background_process_start_count",
     "Number of background processes started",
@@ -191,6 +195,8 @@ def run_as_background_process(desc, func, *args, **kwargs):
 
             try:
                 yield func(*args, **kwargs)
+            except Exception:
+                logger.exception("Background process '%s' threw an exception", desc)
             finally:
                 proc.update_metrics()