diff --git a/synapse/storage/_base.py b/synapse/storage/_base.py
index d1f050394d..0f146998d9 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/_base.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/_base.py
@@ -46,7 +46,6 @@ sql_scheduling_timer = metrics.register_distribution("schedule_time")
 
 sql_query_timer = metrics.register_distribution("query_time", labels=["verb"])
 sql_txn_timer = metrics.register_distribution("transaction_time", labels=["desc"])
-sql_getevents_timer = metrics.register_distribution("getEvents_time", labels=["desc"])
 
 caches_by_name = {}
 cache_counter = metrics.register_cache(