diff --git a/synapse/storage/_base.py b/synapse/storage/_base.py
index 6fa63f052e..53eee10d51 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/_base.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/_base.py
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 sql_logger = logging.getLogger("synapse.storage.SQL")
 transaction_logger = logging.getLogger("synapse.storage.txn")
+perf_logger = logging.getLogger("synapse.storage.TIME")
 
 
 metrics = synapse.metrics.get_metrics_for("synapse.storage")
@@ -268,7 +269,7 @@ class SQLBaseStore(object):
                 time_now - time_then, limit=3
             )
 
-            logger.info(
+            perf_logger.info(
                 "Total database time: %.3f%% {%s} {%s}",
                 ratio * 100, top_three_counters, top_3_event_counters
             )