diff --git a/synapse/federation/sender/per_destination_queue.py b/synapse/federation/sender/per_destination_queue.py

index e13cd20ffa..276a2b596f 100644
--- a/synapse/federation/sender/per_destination_queue.py
+++ b/synapse/federation/sender/per_destination_queue.py
@@ -15,11 +15,10 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 import datetime
 import logging
-from typing import Dict, Hashable, Iterable, List, Tuple
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Dict, Hashable, Iterable, List, Tuple
 
 from prometheus_client import Counter
 
-import synapse.server
 from synapse.api.errors import (
     FederationDeniedError,
     HttpResponseException,
@@ -34,6 +33,9 @@ from synapse.storage.presence import UserPresenceState
 from synapse.types import ReadReceipt
 from synapse.util.retryutils import NotRetryingDestination, get_retry_limiter
 
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    import synapse.server
+
 # This is defined in the Matrix spec and enforced by the receiver.
 MAX_EDUS_PER_TRANSACTION = 100