diff --git a/synapse/handlers/worker_lock.py b/synapse/handlers/worker_lock.py
index 72c71d5858..d743413e86 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/worker_lock.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/worker_lock.py
@@ -247,6 +247,7 @@ class WaitingLock:
                             timeout=self._get_next_retry_interval(),
                             reactor=self.reactor,
                         )
+                        self._retry_interval = 0.1
                 except Exception:
                     pass