diff --git a/zerver/lib/push_notifications.py b/zerver/lib/push_notifications.py
index 9eb9fd8795..1b52698a1d 100644
--- a/zerver/lib/push_notifications.py
+++ b/zerver/lib/push_notifications.py
@@ -667,7 +667,7 @@ def handle_push_notification(user_profile_id: int, missed_message: Dict[str, Any
 
     apns_payload = get_apns_payload(user_profile, message)
     gcm_payload = get_gcm_payload(user_profile, message)
-    gcm_options = {}  # type: Dict[str, Any]
+    gcm_options = {'priority': 'high'}  # type: Dict[str, Any]
     logger.info("Sending push notifications to mobile clients for user %s" % (user_profile_id,))
 
     if uses_notification_bouncer():
diff --git a/zerver/tests/test_push_notifications.py b/zerver/tests/test_push_notifications.py
index 6757804967..84681235a8 100644
--- a/zerver/tests/test_push_notifications.py
+++ b/zerver/tests/test_push_notifications.py
@@ -646,7 +646,7 @@ class HandlePushNotificationTest(PushNotificationTest):
             mock_send.assert_called_with(user_profile.id,
                                          {'apns': True},
                                          {'gcm': True},
-                                         {},
+                                         {'priority': 'high'},
                                          )
 
     def test_non_bouncer_push(self) -> None:
@@ -688,7 +688,7 @@ class HandlePushNotificationTest(PushNotificationTest):
             mock_send_apple.assert_called_with(self.user_profile.id,
                                                apple_devices,
                                                {'apns': True})
-            mock_send_android.assert_called_with(android_devices, {'gcm': True}, {})
+            mock_send_android.assert_called_with(android_devices, {'gcm': True}, {'priority': 'high'})
             mock_push_notifications.assert_called_once()
 
     @override_settings(SEND_REMOVE_PUSH_NOTIFICATIONS=True)
@@ -799,7 +799,7 @@ class HandlePushNotificationTest(PushNotificationTest):
             mock_send_apple.assert_called_with(self.user_profile.id,
                                                apple_devices,
                                                {'apns': True})
-            mock_send_android.assert_called_with(android_devices, {'gcm': True}, {})
+            mock_send_android.assert_called_with(android_devices, {'gcm': True}, {'priority': 'high'})
             mock_push_notifications.assert_called_once()
 
 class TestAPNs(PushNotificationTest):