diff --git a/synapse/storage/databases/main/events_worker.py b/synapse/storage/databases/main/events_worker.py
index d4104462b551..eff29f4ab65a 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/databases/main/events_worker.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/databases/main/events_worker.py
@@ -1866,7 +1866,8 @@ async def get_event_ordering(self, event_id: str) -> Tuple[int, int]:
         )
 
         if not res:
-            raise SynapseError(404, "Could not find event %s" % (event_id,))
+            logger.warning("Could not find event %s" % (event_id,))
+            return (0, 0)
 
         return int(res["topological_ordering"]), int(res["stream_ordering"])