diff --git a/inbox/events/google.py b/inbox/events/google.py
index add990fa9..9b030331c 100644
--- a/inbox/events/google.py
+++ b/inbox/events/google.py
@@ -91,14 +91,16 @@ def sync_events(
             A list of uncommited Event instances
         """
         updates = []
-        items = self._get_raw_events(calendar_uid, sync_from_time)
+        raw_events = self._get_raw_events(calendar_uid, sync_from_time)
         read_only_calendar = self.calendars_table.get(calendar_uid, True)
-        for item in iterate_and_periodically_switch_to_gevent(items):
+        for raw_event in iterate_and_periodically_switch_to_gevent(raw_events):
             try:
-                parsed = parse_event_response(item, read_only_calendar)
+                parsed = parse_event_response(raw_event, read_only_calendar)
                 updates.append(parsed)
             except (arrow.parser.ParserError, ValueError):
-                self.log.warning("Skipping unparseable event", exc_info=True, raw=item)
+                self.log.warning(
+                    "Skipping unparseable event", exc_info=True, raw=raw_event
+                )
 
         return updates