diff --git a/synapse/app/synctl.py b/synapse/app/synctl.py
index 462dfb7d73..0a2b0d6fcd 100755
--- a/synapse/app/synctl.py
+++ b/synapse/app/synctl.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import sys
 import os
 import subprocess
 import signal
+import yaml
 
 SYNAPSE = ["python", "-B", "-m", "synapse.app.homeserver"]
 
@@ -29,6 +30,7 @@ NORMAL = "\x1b[m"
 CONFIG = yaml.load(open(CONFIGFILE))
 PIDFILE = CONFIG["pid_file"]
 
+
 def start():
     if not os.path.exists(CONFIGFILE):
         sys.stderr.write(