diff --git a/synapse/storage/client_ips.py b/synapse/storage/client_ips.py

index b78eda3413..77ae10da3d 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/client_ips.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/client_ips.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ from six import iteritems
 
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
+from synapse.metrics.background_process_metrics import run_as_background_process
 from synapse.util.caches import CACHE_SIZE_FACTOR
 
 from . import background_updates
@@ -93,10 +94,16 @@ class ClientIpStore(background_updates.BackgroundUpdateStore):
         self._batch_row_update[key] = (user_agent, device_id, now)
 
     def _update_client_ips_batch(self):
-        to_update = self._batch_row_update
-        self._batch_row_update = {}
-        return self.runInteraction(
-            "_update_client_ips_batch", self._update_client_ips_batch_txn, to_update
+        def update():
+            to_update = self._batch_row_update
+            self._batch_row_update = {}
+            return self.runInteraction(
+                "_update_client_ips_batch", self._update_client_ips_batch_txn,
+                to_update,
+            )
+
+        run_as_background_process(
+            "update_client_ips", update,
         )
 
     def _update_client_ips_batch_txn(self, txn, to_update):