diff --git a/synapse/rest/directory.py b/synapse/rest/directory.py
index 7b2b18dbcd..868fa7abed 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/directory.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/directory.py
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ from base import RestServlet, client_path_pattern
 
 import json
 import logging
-import urllib
 
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
diff --git a/synapse/rest/presence.py b/synapse/rest/presence.py
index 4bcd7ef635..9b42131628 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/presence.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/presence.py
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ from base import RestServlet, client_path_pattern
 
 import json
 import logging
-import urllib
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
diff --git a/synapse/rest/profile.py b/synapse/rest/profile.py
index fa1be2c289..351863ab5d 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/profile.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/profile.py
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 from base import RestServlet, client_path_pattern
 
 import json
-import urllib
 
 
 class ProfileDisplaynameRestServlet(RestServlet):