diff --git a/synapse/storage/databases/main/search.py b/synapse/storage/databases/main/search.py

index edde12fbd2..cea5829cf6 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/databases/main/search.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/databases/main/search.py
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ from synapse.storage._base import SQLBaseStore, db_to_json, make_in_list_sql_cla
 from synapse.storage.database import DatabasePool
 from synapse.storage.databases.main.events_worker import EventRedactBehaviour
 from synapse.storage.engines import PostgresEngine, Sqlite3Engine
+from synapse.types import Collection
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -460,7 +461,7 @@ class SearchStore(SearchBackgroundUpdateStore):
 
     async def search_rooms(
         self,
-        room_ids: List[str],
+        room_ids: Collection[str],
         search_term: str,
         keys: List[str],
         limit,