diff --git a/synapse/handlers/message.py b/synapse/handlers/message.py
index 01a7183548..854b2c73c6 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/message.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/message.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes, Membership
 from synapse.api.errors import RoomError
 from synapse.streams.config import PaginationConfig
 from synapse.events.validator import EventValidator
+from synapse.util.logcontext import PreserveLoggingContext
 
 from ._base import BaseHandler
 
@@ -153,6 +154,11 @@ class MessageHandler(BaseHandler):
                 context=context,
             )
 
+        if event.type == EventTypes.Message:
+            presence = self.hs.get_handlers().presence_handler
+            with PreserveLoggingContext():
+                presence.bump_presence_active_time(user)
+
         defer.returnValue(event)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks