diff --git a/server/pulp/server/db/manage.py b/server/pulp/server/db/manage.py
index d51469a46d..30fbcff4fe 100644
--- a/server/pulp/server/db/manage.py
+++ b/server/pulp/server/db/manage.py
@@ -196,8 +196,11 @@ def main():
         options = parse_args()
         _start_logging()
         connection.initialize(max_timeout=1)
+        active_workers = None
+
+        if not options.dry_run:
+            active_workers = status.get_workers()
 
-        active_workers = status.get_workers()
         if active_workers:
             last_worker_time = max([worker['last_heartbeat'] for worker in active_workers])
             time_from_last = UTCDateTimeField().to_python(datetime.utcnow()) - last_worker_time