diff --git a/src/com/android/exchange/EasSyncService.java b/src/com/android/exchange/EasSyncService.java
index 8bd3fc8c8..6238547c4 100644
--- a/src/com/android/exchange/EasSyncService.java
+++ b/src/com/android/exchange/EasSyncService.java
@@ -1032,6 +1032,7 @@ public class EasSyncService extends AbstractSyncService {
         mMailbox = Mailbox.restoreMailboxWithId(mContext, mMailbox.mId);
 
         mThread = Thread.currentThread();
+        android.os.Process.setThreadPriority(android.os.Process.THREAD_PRIORITY_BACKGROUND);
         TAG = mThread.getName();
 
         HostAuth ha = HostAuth.restoreHostAuthWithId(mContext, mAccount.mHostAuthKeyRecv);