diff --git a/synapse/push/bulk_push_rule_evaluator.py b/synapse/push/bulk_push_rule_evaluator.py
index e75d964ac8..f7c3db5828 100644
--- a/synapse/push/bulk_push_rule_evaluator.py
+++ b/synapse/push/bulk_push_rule_evaluator.py
@@ -191,9 +191,13 @@ class BulkPushRuleEvaluator(object):
                 )
                 if matches:
                     actions = [x for x in rule["actions"] if x != "dont_notify"]
-                    if actions and "notify" in actions:
-                        # Push rules say we should notify the user of this event
-                        actions_by_user[uid] = actions
+                    if actions:
+                        if (
+                            "notify" in actions
+                            or "org.matrix.msc2625.mark_unread" in actions
+                        ):
+                            # Push rules say we should act on this event.
+                            actions_by_user[uid] = actions
                     break
 
         # Mark in the DB staging area the push actions for users who should be