diff --git a/pkg/bus/bus.go b/pkg/bus/bus.go
index 32a591b6672..9cf930aeb82 100644
--- a/pkg/bus/bus.go
+++ b/pkg/bus/bus.go
@@ -12,21 +12,42 @@ type Msg interface{}
 
 var ErrHandlerNotFound = errors.New("handler not found")
 
+type TransactionManager interface {
+	InTransaction(ctx context.Context, fn func(ctx context.Context) error) error
+}
+
 type Bus interface {
 	Dispatch(msg Msg) error
 	DispatchCtx(ctx context.Context, msg Msg) error
 	Publish(msg Msg) error
 
+	// InTransaction starts a transaction and store it in the context.
+	// The caller can then pass a function with multiple DispatchCtx calls that
+	// all will be executed in the same transaction. InTransaction will rollback if the
+	// callback returns an error.
+	InTransaction(ctx context.Context, fn func(ctx context.Context) error) error
+
 	AddHandler(handler HandlerFunc)
-	AddCtxHandler(handler HandlerFunc)
+	AddHandlerCtx(handler HandlerFunc)
 	AddEventListener(handler HandlerFunc)
 	AddWildcardListener(handler HandlerFunc)
+
+	// SetTransactionManager allows the user to replace the internal
+	// noop TransactionManager that is responsible for manageing
+	// transactions in `InTransaction`
+	SetTransactionManager(tm TransactionManager)
+}
+
+func (b *InProcBus) InTransaction(ctx context.Context, fn func(ctx context.Context) error) error {
+	return b.txMng.InTransaction(ctx, fn)
 }
 
 type InProcBus struct {
 	handlers          map[string]HandlerFunc
+	handlersWithCtx   map[string]HandlerFunc
 	listeners         map[string][]HandlerFunc
 	wildcardListeners []HandlerFunc
+	txMng             TransactionManager
 }
 
 // temp stuff, not sure how to handle bus instance, and init yet
@@ -35,8 +56,11 @@ var globalBus = New()
 func New() Bus {
 	bus := &InProcBus{}
 	bus.handlers = make(map[string]HandlerFunc)
+	bus.handlersWithCtx = make(map[string]HandlerFunc)
 	bus.listeners = make(map[string][]HandlerFunc)
 	bus.wildcardListeners = make([]HandlerFunc, 0)
+	bus.txMng = &noopTransactionManager{}
+
 	return bus
 }
 
@@ -45,17 +69,21 @@ func GetBus() Bus {
 	return globalBus
 }
 
+func (b *InProcBus) SetTransactionManager(tm TransactionManager) {
+	b.txMng = tm
+}
+
 func (b *InProcBus) DispatchCtx(ctx context.Context, msg Msg) error {
 	var msgName = reflect.TypeOf(msg).Elem().Name()
 
-	var handler = b.handlers[msgName]
+	var handler = b.handlersWithCtx[msgName]
 	if handler == nil {
 		return ErrHandlerNotFound
 	}
 
-	var params = make([]reflect.Value, 2)
-	params[0] = reflect.ValueOf(ctx)
-	params[1] = reflect.ValueOf(msg)
+	var params = []reflect.Value{}
+	params = append(params, reflect.ValueOf(ctx))
+	params = append(params, reflect.ValueOf(msg))
 
 	ret := reflect.ValueOf(handler).Call(params)
 	err := ret[0].Interface()
@@ -68,13 +96,23 @@ func (b *InProcBus) DispatchCtx(ctx context.Context, msg Msg) error {
 func (b *InProcBus) Dispatch(msg Msg) error {
 	var msgName = reflect.TypeOf(msg).Elem().Name()
 
-	var handler = b.handlers[msgName]
+	var handler = b.handlersWithCtx[msgName]
+	withCtx := true
+
+	if handler == nil {
+		withCtx = false
+		handler = b.handlers[msgName]
+	}
+
 	if handler == nil {
 		return ErrHandlerNotFound
 	}
 
-	var params = make([]reflect.Value, 1)
-	params[0] = reflect.ValueOf(msg)
+	var params = []reflect.Value{}
+	if withCtx {
+		params = append(params, reflect.ValueOf(context.Background()))
+	}
+	params = append(params, reflect.ValueOf(msg))
 
 	ret := reflect.ValueOf(handler).Call(params)
 	err := ret[0].Interface()
@@ -120,10 +158,10 @@ func (b *InProcBus) AddHandler(handler HandlerFunc) {
 	b.handlers[queryTypeName] = handler
 }
 
-func (b *InProcBus) AddCtxHandler(handler HandlerFunc) {
+func (b *InProcBus) AddHandlerCtx(handler HandlerFunc) {
 	handlerType := reflect.TypeOf(handler)
 	queryTypeName := handlerType.In(1).Elem().Name()
-	b.handlers[queryTypeName] = handler
+	b.handlersWithCtx[queryTypeName] = handler
 }
 
 func (b *InProcBus) AddEventListener(handler HandlerFunc) {
@@ -142,8 +180,8 @@ func AddHandler(implName string, handler HandlerFunc) {
 }
 
 // Package level functions
-func AddCtxHandler(implName string, handler HandlerFunc) {
-	globalBus.AddCtxHandler(handler)
+func AddHandlerCtx(implName string, handler HandlerFunc) {
+	globalBus.AddHandlerCtx(handler)
 }
 
 // Package level functions
@@ -167,6 +205,20 @@ func Publish(msg Msg) error {
 	return globalBus.Publish(msg)
 }
 
+// InTransaction starts a transaction and store it in the context.
+// The caller can then pass a function with multiple DispatchCtx calls that
+// all will be executed in the same transaction. InTransaction will rollback if the
+// callback returns an error.
+func InTransaction(ctx context.Context, fn func(ctx context.Context) error) error {
+	return globalBus.InTransaction(ctx, fn)
+}
+
 func ClearBusHandlers() {
 	globalBus = New()
 }
+
+type noopTransactionManager struct{}
+
+func (*noopTransactionManager) InTransaction(ctx context.Context, fn func(ctx context.Context) error) error {
+	return fn(ctx)
+}
diff --git a/pkg/bus/bus_test.go b/pkg/bus/bus_test.go
index 62e72f18308..9f41a5154df 100644
--- a/pkg/bus/bus_test.go
+++ b/pkg/bus/bus_test.go
@@ -1,24 +1,67 @@
 package bus
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"testing"
 )
 
-type TestQuery struct {
+type testQuery struct {
 	Id   int64
 	Resp string
 }
 
+func TestDispatchCtxCanUseNormalHandlers(t *testing.T) {
+	bus := New()
+
+	handlerWithCtxCallCount := 0
+	handlerCallCount := 0
+
+	handlerWithCtx := func(ctx context.Context, query *testQuery) error {
+		handlerWithCtxCallCount++
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	handler := func(query *testQuery) error {
+		handlerCallCount++
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	err := bus.DispatchCtx(context.Background(), &testQuery{})
+	if err != ErrHandlerNotFound {
+		t.Errorf("expected bus to return HandlerNotFound is no handler is registered")
+	}
+
+	bus.AddHandler(handler)
+
+	t.Run("when a normal handler is registered", func(t *testing.T) {
+		bus.Dispatch(&testQuery{})
+
+		if handlerCallCount != 1 {
+			t.Errorf("Expected normal handler to be called 1 time. was called %d", handlerCallCount)
+		}
+
+		t.Run("when a ctx handler is registered", func(t *testing.T) {
+			bus.AddHandlerCtx(handlerWithCtx)
+			bus.Dispatch(&testQuery{})
+
+			if handlerWithCtxCallCount != 1 {
+				t.Errorf("Expected ctx handler to be called 1 time. was called %d", handlerWithCtxCallCount)
+			}
+		})
+	})
+
+}
+
 func TestQueryHandlerReturnsError(t *testing.T) {
 	bus := New()
 
-	bus.AddHandler(func(query *TestQuery) error {
+	bus.AddHandler(func(query *testQuery) error {
 		return errors.New("handler error")
 	})
 
-	err := bus.Dispatch(&TestQuery{})
+	err := bus.Dispatch(&testQuery{})
 
 	if err == nil {
 		t.Fatal("Send query failed " + err.Error())
@@ -30,12 +73,12 @@ func TestQueryHandlerReturnsError(t *testing.T) {
 func TestQueryHandlerReturn(t *testing.T) {
 	bus := New()
 
-	bus.AddHandler(func(q *TestQuery) error {
+	bus.AddHandler(func(q *testQuery) error {
 		q.Resp = "hello from handler"
 		return nil
 	})
 
-	query := &TestQuery{}
+	query := &testQuery{}
 	err := bus.Dispatch(query)
 
 	if err != nil {
@@ -49,17 +92,17 @@ func TestEventListeners(t *testing.T) {
 	bus := New()
 	count := 0
 
-	bus.AddEventListener(func(query *TestQuery) error {
+	bus.AddEventListener(func(query *testQuery) error {
 		count += 1
 		return nil
 	})
 
-	bus.AddEventListener(func(query *TestQuery) error {
+	bus.AddEventListener(func(query *testQuery) error {
 		count += 10
 		return nil
 	})
 
-	err := bus.Publish(&TestQuery{})
+	err := bus.Publish(&testQuery{})
 
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal("Publish event failed " + err.Error())
diff --git a/pkg/services/alerting/notifiers/base.go b/pkg/services/alerting/notifiers/base.go
index fc00bd5265e..d8cb740daa1 100644
--- a/pkg/services/alerting/notifiers/base.go
+++ b/pkg/services/alerting/notifiers/base.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/bus"
 	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/log"
 	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/models"
+
 	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/services/alerting"
 )
 
diff --git a/pkg/services/notifications/notifications.go b/pkg/services/notifications/notifications.go
index 14d362c5e1e..fcefa91243d 100644
--- a/pkg/services/notifications/notifications.go
+++ b/pkg/services/notifications/notifications.go
@@ -45,8 +45,8 @@ func (ns *NotificationService) Init() error {
 	ns.Bus.AddHandler(ns.validateResetPasswordCode)
 	ns.Bus.AddHandler(ns.sendEmailCommandHandler)
 
-	ns.Bus.AddCtxHandler(ns.sendEmailCommandHandlerSync)
-	ns.Bus.AddCtxHandler(ns.SendWebhookSync)
+	ns.Bus.AddHandlerCtx(ns.sendEmailCommandHandlerSync)
+	ns.Bus.AddHandlerCtx(ns.SendWebhookSync)
 
 	ns.Bus.AddEventListener(ns.signUpStartedHandler)
 	ns.Bus.AddEventListener(ns.signUpCompletedHandler)
diff --git a/pkg/services/sqlstore/apikey.go b/pkg/services/sqlstore/apikey.go
index 9d41b5c809e..775d4cf6447 100644
--- a/pkg/services/sqlstore/apikey.go
+++ b/pkg/services/sqlstore/apikey.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package sqlstore
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/bus"
@@ -11,7 +12,7 @@ func init() {
 	bus.AddHandler("sql", GetApiKeys)
 	bus.AddHandler("sql", GetApiKeyById)
 	bus.AddHandler("sql", GetApiKeyByName)
-	bus.AddHandler("sql", DeleteApiKey)
+	bus.AddHandlerCtx("sql", DeleteApiKeyCtx)
 	bus.AddHandler("sql", AddApiKey)
 }
 
@@ -22,8 +23,8 @@ func GetApiKeys(query *m.GetApiKeysQuery) error {
 	return sess.Find(&query.Result)
 }
 
-func DeleteApiKey(cmd *m.DeleteApiKeyCommand) error {
-	return inTransaction(func(sess *DBSession) error {
+func DeleteApiKeyCtx(ctx context.Context, cmd *m.DeleteApiKeyCommand) error {
+	return withDbSession(ctx, func(sess *DBSession) error {
 		var rawSql = "DELETE FROM api_key WHERE id=? and org_id=?"
 		_, err := sess.Exec(rawSql, cmd.Id, cmd.OrgId)
 		return err
diff --git a/pkg/services/sqlstore/session.go b/pkg/services/sqlstore/session.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..fdee2c76b0c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/services/sqlstore/session.go
@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+package sqlstore
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"reflect"
+
+	"github.com/go-xorm/xorm"
+)
+
+type DBSession struct {
+	*xorm.Session
+	events []interface{}
+}
+
+type dbTransactionFunc func(sess *DBSession) error
+
+func (sess *DBSession) publishAfterCommit(msg interface{}) {
+	sess.events = append(sess.events, msg)
+}
+
+func newSession() *DBSession {
+	return &DBSession{Session: x.NewSession()}
+}
+
+func startSession(ctx context.Context) *DBSession {
+	value := ctx.Value(ContextSessionName)
+	var sess *DBSession
+	sess, ok := value.(*DBSession)
+
+	if !ok {
+		newSess := newSession()
+		return newSess
+	}
+
+	return sess
+}
+
+func withDbSession(ctx context.Context, callback dbTransactionFunc) error {
+	sess := startSession(ctx)
+
+	return callback(sess)
+}
+
+func (sess *DBSession) InsertId(bean interface{}) (int64, error) {
+	table := sess.DB().Mapper.Obj2Table(getTypeName(bean))
+
+	dialect.PreInsertId(table, sess.Session)
+
+	id, err := sess.Session.InsertOne(bean)
+
+	dialect.PostInsertId(table, sess.Session)
+
+	return id, err
+}
+
+func getTypeName(bean interface{}) (res string) {
+	t := reflect.TypeOf(bean)
+	for t.Kind() == reflect.Ptr {
+		t = t.Elem()
+	}
+	return t.Name()
+}
diff --git a/pkg/services/sqlstore/shared.go b/pkg/services/sqlstore/shared.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 9a24a513aad..00000000000
--- a/pkg/services/sqlstore/shared.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,90 +0,0 @@
-package sqlstore
-
-import (
-	"reflect"
-	"time"
-
-	"github.com/go-xorm/xorm"
-	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/bus"
-	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/log"
-	sqlite3 "github.com/mattn/go-sqlite3"
-)
-
-type DBSession struct {
-	*xorm.Session
-	events []interface{}
-}
-
-type dbTransactionFunc func(sess *DBSession) error
-
-func (sess *DBSession) publishAfterCommit(msg interface{}) {
-	sess.events = append(sess.events, msg)
-}
-
-func newSession() *DBSession {
-	return &DBSession{Session: x.NewSession()}
-}
-
-func inTransaction(callback dbTransactionFunc) error {
-	return inTransactionWithRetry(callback, 0)
-}
-
-func inTransactionWithRetry(callback dbTransactionFunc, retry int) error {
-	var err error
-
-	sess := newSession()
-	defer sess.Close()
-
-	if err = sess.Begin(); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	err = callback(sess)
-
-	// special handling of database locked errors for sqlite, then we can retry 3 times
-	if sqlError, ok := err.(sqlite3.Error); ok && retry < 5 {
-		if sqlError.Code == sqlite3.ErrLocked {
-			sess.Rollback()
-			time.Sleep(time.Millisecond * time.Duration(10))
-			sqlog.Info("Database table locked, sleeping then retrying", "retry", retry)
-			return inTransactionWithRetry(callback, retry+1)
-		}
-	}
-
-	if err != nil {
-		sess.Rollback()
-		return err
-	} else if err = sess.Commit(); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	if len(sess.events) > 0 {
-		for _, e := range sess.events {
-			if err = bus.Publish(e); err != nil {
-				log.Error(3, "Failed to publish event after commit", err)
-			}
-		}
-	}
-
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (sess *DBSession) InsertId(bean interface{}) (int64, error) {
-	table := sess.DB().Mapper.Obj2Table(getTypeName(bean))
-
-	dialect.PreInsertId(table, sess.Session)
-
-	id, err := sess.Session.InsertOne(bean)
-
-	dialect.PostInsertId(table, sess.Session)
-
-	return id, err
-}
-
-func getTypeName(bean interface{}) (res string) {
-	t := reflect.TypeOf(bean)
-	for t.Kind() == reflect.Ptr {
-		t = t.Elem()
-	}
-	return t.Name()
-}
diff --git a/pkg/services/sqlstore/sqlstore.go b/pkg/services/sqlstore/sqlstore.go
index ed82829665f..40101528df5 100644
--- a/pkg/services/sqlstore/sqlstore.go
+++ b/pkg/services/sqlstore/sqlstore.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package sqlstore
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"fmt"
 	"net/url"
 	"os"
@@ -22,10 +23,10 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/go-sql-driver/mysql"
 	"github.com/go-xorm/xorm"
-	_ "github.com/lib/pq"
-	_ "github.com/mattn/go-sqlite3"
 
 	_ "github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/tsdb/mssql"
+	_ "github.com/lib/pq"
+	_ "github.com/mattn/go-sqlite3"
 )
 
 var (
@@ -35,6 +36,8 @@ var (
 	sqlog log.Logger = log.New("sqlstore")
 )
 
+const ContextSessionName = "db-session"
+
 func init() {
 	registry.Register(&registry.Descriptor{
 		Name:         "SqlStore",
@@ -45,6 +48,7 @@ func init() {
 
 type SqlStore struct {
 	Cfg *setting.Cfg `inject:""`
+	Bus bus.Bus      `inject:""`
 
 	dbCfg           DatabaseConfig
 	engine          *xorm.Engine
@@ -77,6 +81,8 @@ func (ss *SqlStore) Init() error {
 	// Init repo instances
 	annotations.SetRepository(&SqlAnnotationRepo{})
 
+	ss.Bus.SetTransactionManager(ss)
+
 	// ensure admin user
 	if ss.skipEnsureAdmin {
 		return nil
@@ -88,27 +94,33 @@ func (ss *SqlStore) Init() error {
 func (ss *SqlStore) ensureAdminUser() error {
 	systemUserCountQuery := m.GetSystemUserCountStatsQuery{}
 
-	if err := bus.Dispatch(&systemUserCountQuery); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("Could not determine if admin user exists: %v", err)
-	}
+	err := ss.InTransaction(context.Background(), func(ctx context.Context) error {
+
+		err := bus.DispatchCtx(ctx, &systemUserCountQuery)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("Could not determine if admin user exists: %v", err)
+		}
+
+		if systemUserCountQuery.Result.Count > 0 {
+			return nil
+		}
+
+		cmd := m.CreateUserCommand{}
+		cmd.Login = setting.AdminUser
+		cmd.Email = setting.AdminUser + "@localhost"
+		cmd.Password = setting.AdminPassword
+		cmd.IsAdmin = true
+
+		if err := bus.DispatchCtx(ctx, &cmd); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("Failed to create admin user: %v", err)
+		}
+
+		ss.log.Info("Created default admin", "user", setting.AdminUser)
 
-	if systemUserCountQuery.Result.Count > 0 {
 		return nil
-	}
+	})
 
-	cmd := m.CreateUserCommand{}
-	cmd.Login = setting.AdminUser
-	cmd.Email = setting.AdminUser + "@localhost"
-	cmd.Password = setting.AdminPassword
-	cmd.IsAdmin = true
-
-	if err := bus.Dispatch(&cmd); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("Failed to create admin user: %v", err)
-	}
-
-	ss.log.Info("Created default admin user: %v", setting.AdminUser)
-
-	return nil
+	return err
 }
 
 func (ss *SqlStore) buildConnectionString() (string, error) {
@@ -238,8 +250,10 @@ func (ss *SqlStore) readConfig() {
 }
 
 func InitTestDB(t *testing.T) *SqlStore {
+	t.Helper()
 	sqlstore := &SqlStore{}
 	sqlstore.skipEnsureAdmin = true
+	sqlstore.Bus = bus.New()
 
 	dbType := migrator.SQLITE
 
diff --git a/pkg/services/sqlstore/stats.go b/pkg/services/sqlstore/stats.go
index 3e3e83c4014..6db481bf06b 100644
--- a/pkg/services/sqlstore/stats.go
+++ b/pkg/services/sqlstore/stats.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package sqlstore
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/bus"
@@ -12,7 +13,7 @@ func init() {
 	bus.AddHandler("sql", GetDataSourceStats)
 	bus.AddHandler("sql", GetDataSourceAccessStats)
 	bus.AddHandler("sql", GetAdminStats)
-	bus.AddHandler("sql", GetSystemUserCountStats)
+	bus.AddHandlerCtx("sql", GetSystemUserCountStats)
 }
 
 var activeUserTimeLimit = time.Hour * 24 * 30
@@ -133,15 +134,18 @@ func GetAdminStats(query *m.GetAdminStatsQuery) error {
 	return err
 }
 
-func GetSystemUserCountStats(query *m.GetSystemUserCountStatsQuery) error {
-	var rawSql = `SELECT COUNT(id) AS Count FROM ` + dialect.Quote("user")
-	var stats m.SystemUserCountStats
-	_, err := x.SQL(rawSql).Get(&stats)
-	if err != nil {
+func GetSystemUserCountStats(ctx context.Context, query *m.GetSystemUserCountStatsQuery) error {
+	return withDbSession(ctx, func(sess *DBSession) error {
+
+		var rawSql = `SELECT COUNT(id) AS Count FROM ` + dialect.Quote("user")
+		var stats m.SystemUserCountStats
+		_, err := sess.SQL(rawSql).Get(&stats)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		query.Result = &stats
+
 		return err
-	}
-
-	query.Result = &stats
-
-	return err
+	})
 }
diff --git a/pkg/services/sqlstore/stats_test.go b/pkg/services/sqlstore/stats_test.go
index 97f0ca0c43e..dae24952d17 100644
--- a/pkg/services/sqlstore/stats_test.go
+++ b/pkg/services/sqlstore/stats_test.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package sqlstore
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"testing"
 
 	m "github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/models"
@@ -20,7 +21,7 @@ func TestStatsDataAccess(t *testing.T) {
 
 		Convey("Get system user count stats should not results in error", func() {
 			query := m.GetSystemUserCountStatsQuery{}
-			err := GetSystemUserCountStats(&query)
+			err := GetSystemUserCountStats(context.Background(), &query)
 			So(err, ShouldBeNil)
 		})
 
diff --git a/pkg/services/sqlstore/transactions.go b/pkg/services/sqlstore/transactions.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..f72b0bb8500
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/services/sqlstore/transactions.go
@@ -0,0 +1,105 @@
+package sqlstore
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/bus"
+	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/log"
+	sqlite3 "github.com/mattn/go-sqlite3"
+)
+
+func (ss *SqlStore) InTransaction(ctx context.Context, fn func(ctx context.Context) error) error {
+	return ss.inTransactionWithRetry(ctx, fn, 0)
+}
+
+func (ss *SqlStore) inTransactionWithRetry(ctx context.Context, fn func(ctx context.Context) error, retry int) error {
+	sess := startSession(ctx)
+	defer sess.Close()
+
+	if err := sess.Begin(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	withValue := context.WithValue(ctx, ContextSessionName, sess)
+
+	err := fn(withValue)
+
+	// special handling of database locked errors for sqlite, then we can retry 3 times
+	if sqlError, ok := err.(sqlite3.Error); ok && retry < 5 {
+		if sqlError.Code == sqlite3.ErrLocked {
+			sess.Rollback()
+			time.Sleep(time.Millisecond * time.Duration(10))
+			ss.log.Info("Database table locked, sleeping then retrying", "retry", retry)
+			return ss.inTransactionWithRetry(ctx, fn, retry+1)
+		}
+	}
+
+	if err != nil {
+		sess.Rollback()
+		return err
+	}
+
+	if err = sess.Commit(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	if len(sess.events) > 0 {
+		for _, e := range sess.events {
+			if err = bus.Publish(e); err != nil {
+				ss.log.Error("Failed to publish event after commit", err)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func inTransactionWithRetry(callback dbTransactionFunc, retry int) error {
+	return inTransactionWithRetryCtx(context.Background(), callback, retry)
+}
+
+func inTransactionWithRetryCtx(ctx context.Context, callback dbTransactionFunc, retry int) error {
+	var err error
+
+	sess := startSession(ctx)
+
+	defer sess.Close()
+
+	if err = sess.Begin(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	err = callback(sess)
+
+	// special handling of database locked errors for sqlite, then we can retry 3 times
+	if sqlError, ok := err.(sqlite3.Error); ok && retry < 5 {
+		if sqlError.Code == sqlite3.ErrLocked {
+			sess.Rollback()
+			time.Sleep(time.Millisecond * time.Duration(10))
+			sqlog.Info("Database table locked, sleeping then retrying", "retry", retry)
+			return inTransactionWithRetry(callback, retry+1)
+		}
+	}
+
+	if err != nil {
+		sess.Rollback()
+		return err
+	} else if err = sess.Commit(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	if len(sess.events) > 0 {
+		for _, e := range sess.events {
+			if err = bus.Publish(e); err != nil {
+				log.Error(3, "Failed to publish event after commit", err)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func inTransaction(callback dbTransactionFunc) error {
+	return inTransactionWithRetry(callback, 0)
+}
diff --git a/pkg/services/sqlstore/transactions_test.go b/pkg/services/sqlstore/transactions_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..2575229aad5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/services/sqlstore/transactions_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+package sqlstore
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/log"
+	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/models"
+
+	. "github.com/smartystreets/goconvey/convey"
+)
+
+type testQuery struct {
+	result bool
+}
+
+var ProvokedError = errors.New("testing error.")
+
+func TestTransaction(t *testing.T) {
+	InitTestDB(t)
+
+	Convey("InTransaction asdf asdf", t, func() {
+		ss := SqlStore{log: log.New("test-logger")}
+
+		cmd := &models.AddApiKeyCommand{Key: "secret-key", Name: "key", OrgId: 1}
+
+		err := AddApiKey(cmd)
+		So(err, ShouldBeNil)
+
+		deleteApiKeyCmd := &models.DeleteApiKeyCommand{Id: cmd.Result.Id, OrgId: 1}
+
+		Convey("can update key", func() {
+			err := ss.InTransaction(context.Background(), func(ctx context.Context) error {
+				return DeleteApiKeyCtx(ctx, deleteApiKeyCmd)
+			})
+
+			So(err, ShouldBeNil)
+
+			query := &models.GetApiKeyByIdQuery{ApiKeyId: cmd.Result.Id}
+			err = GetApiKeyById(query)
+			So(err, ShouldEqual, models.ErrInvalidApiKey)
+		})
+
+		Convey("wont update if one handler fails", func() {
+			err := ss.InTransaction(context.Background(), func(ctx context.Context) error {
+				err := DeleteApiKeyCtx(ctx, deleteApiKeyCmd)
+				if err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
+
+				return ProvokedError
+
+			})
+
+			So(err, ShouldEqual, ProvokedError)
+
+			query := &models.GetApiKeyByIdQuery{ApiKeyId: cmd.Result.Id}
+			err = GetApiKeyById(query)
+			So(err, ShouldBeNil)
+			So(query.Result.Id, ShouldEqual, cmd.Result.Id)
+		})
+	})
+}
diff --git a/pkg/services/sqlstore/user.go b/pkg/services/sqlstore/user.go
index e7aa8da837a..252499d5fdc 100644
--- a/pkg/services/sqlstore/user.go
+++ b/pkg/services/sqlstore/user.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package sqlstore
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
@@ -30,6 +31,7 @@ func init() {
 	bus.AddHandler("sql", DeleteUser)
 	bus.AddHandler("sql", UpdateUserPermissions)
 	bus.AddHandler("sql", SetUserHelpFlag)
+	bus.AddHandlerCtx("sql", CreateUserCtx)
 }
 
 func getOrgIdForNewUser(cmd *m.CreateUserCommand, sess *DBSession) (int64, error) {
@@ -79,77 +81,87 @@ func getOrgIdForNewUser(cmd *m.CreateUserCommand, sess *DBSession) (int64, error
 	return org.Id, nil
 }
 
+func internalCreateUser(sess *DBSession, cmd *m.CreateUserCommand) error {
+	orgId, err := getOrgIdForNewUser(cmd, sess)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	if cmd.Email == "" {
+		cmd.Email = cmd.Login
+	}
+
+	// create user
+	user := m.User{
+		Email:         cmd.Email,
+		Name:          cmd.Name,
+		Login:         cmd.Login,
+		Company:       cmd.Company,
+		IsAdmin:       cmd.IsAdmin,
+		OrgId:         orgId,
+		EmailVerified: cmd.EmailVerified,
+		Created:       time.Now(),
+		Updated:       time.Now(),
+		LastSeenAt:    time.Now().AddDate(-10, 0, 0),
+	}
+
+	if len(cmd.Password) > 0 {
+		user.Salt = util.GetRandomString(10)
+		user.Rands = util.GetRandomString(10)
+		user.Password = util.EncodePassword(cmd.Password, user.Salt)
+	}
+
+	sess.UseBool("is_admin")
+
+	if _, err := sess.Insert(&user); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	sess.publishAfterCommit(&events.UserCreated{
+		Timestamp: user.Created,
+		Id:        user.Id,
+		Name:      user.Name,
+		Login:     user.Login,
+		Email:     user.Email,
+	})
+
+	cmd.Result = user
+
+	// create org user link
+	if !cmd.SkipOrgSetup {
+		orgUser := m.OrgUser{
+			OrgId:   orgId,
+			UserId:  user.Id,
+			Role:    m.ROLE_ADMIN,
+			Created: time.Now(),
+			Updated: time.Now(),
+		}
+
+		if setting.AutoAssignOrg && !user.IsAdmin {
+			if len(cmd.DefaultOrgRole) > 0 {
+				orgUser.Role = m.RoleType(cmd.DefaultOrgRole)
+			} else {
+				orgUser.Role = m.RoleType(setting.AutoAssignOrgRole)
+			}
+		}
+
+		if _, err = sess.Insert(&orgUser); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func CreateUserCtx(ctx context.Context, cmd *m.CreateUserCommand) error {
+	return inTransactionWithRetryCtx(ctx, func(sess *DBSession) error {
+		return internalCreateUser(sess, cmd)
+	}, 0)
+}
+
 func CreateUser(cmd *m.CreateUserCommand) error {
 	return inTransaction(func(sess *DBSession) error {
-		orgId, err := getOrgIdForNewUser(cmd, sess)
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-
-		if cmd.Email == "" {
-			cmd.Email = cmd.Login
-		}
-
-		// create user
-		user := m.User{
-			Email:         cmd.Email,
-			Name:          cmd.Name,
-			Login:         cmd.Login,
-			Company:       cmd.Company,
-			IsAdmin:       cmd.IsAdmin,
-			OrgId:         orgId,
-			EmailVerified: cmd.EmailVerified,
-			Created:       time.Now(),
-			Updated:       time.Now(),
-			LastSeenAt:    time.Now().AddDate(-10, 0, 0),
-		}
-
-		if len(cmd.Password) > 0 {
-			user.Salt = util.GetRandomString(10)
-			user.Rands = util.GetRandomString(10)
-			user.Password = util.EncodePassword(cmd.Password, user.Salt)
-		}
-
-		sess.UseBool("is_admin")
-
-		if _, err := sess.Insert(&user); err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-
-		sess.publishAfterCommit(&events.UserCreated{
-			Timestamp: user.Created,
-			Id:        user.Id,
-			Name:      user.Name,
-			Login:     user.Login,
-			Email:     user.Email,
-		})
-
-		cmd.Result = user
-
-		// create org user link
-		if !cmd.SkipOrgSetup {
-			orgUser := m.OrgUser{
-				OrgId:   orgId,
-				UserId:  user.Id,
-				Role:    m.ROLE_ADMIN,
-				Created: time.Now(),
-				Updated: time.Now(),
-			}
-
-			if setting.AutoAssignOrg && !user.IsAdmin {
-				if len(cmd.DefaultOrgRole) > 0 {
-					orgUser.Role = m.RoleType(cmd.DefaultOrgRole)
-				} else {
-					orgUser.Role = m.RoleType(setting.AutoAssignOrgRole)
-				}
-			}
-
-			if _, err = sess.Insert(&orgUser); err != nil {
-				return err
-			}
-		}
-
-		return nil
+		return internalCreateUser(sess, cmd)
 	})
 }