diff --git a/synapse/config/repository.py b/synapse/config/repository.py
index dba9926779ba..839c026d70d7 100644
--- a/synapse/config/repository.py
+++ b/synapse/config/repository.py
@@ -145,6 +145,8 @@ def read_config(self, config: JsonDict, **kwargs: Any) -> None:
             config.get("unused_expiration_time", "24h")
         )
 
+        self.max_pending_media_uploads = config.get("max_pending_media_uploads", 5)
+
         self.media_store_path = self.ensure_directory(
             config.get("media_store_path", "media_store")
         )
diff --git a/synapse/media/media_repository.py b/synapse/media/media_repository.py
index 0682709596eb..6d1c065633ba 100644
--- a/synapse/media/media_repository.py
+++ b/synapse/media/media_repository.py
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ def __init__(self, hs: "HomeServer"):
         self.max_upload_size = hs.config.media.max_upload_size
         self.max_image_pixels = hs.config.media.max_image_pixels
         self.unused_expiration_time = hs.config.media.unused_expiration_time
+        self.max_pending_media_uploads = hs.config.media.max_pending_media_uploads
 
         Thumbnailer.set_limits(self.max_image_pixels)