diff --git a/pkg/services/sqlstore/sqlstore.go b/pkg/services/sqlstore/sqlstore.go
index a99603c40ad..9cc3c1b51b8 100644
--- a/pkg/services/sqlstore/sqlstore.go
+++ b/pkg/services/sqlstore/sqlstore.go
@@ -95,6 +95,22 @@ func ProvideServiceForTests(t sqlutil.ITestDB, cfg *setting.Cfg, features featur
 	return initTestDB(t, cfg, features, migrations, InitTestDBOpt{EnsureDefaultOrgAndUser: true})
 }
 
+// NewSQLStoreWithoutSideEffects creates a new *SQLStore without side-effects such as
+// running database migrations and/or ensuring main org and admin user exists.
+func NewSQLStoreWithoutSideEffects(cfg *setting.Cfg,
+	features featuremgmt.FeatureToggles,
+	bus bus.Bus, tracer tracing.Tracer) (*SQLStore, error) {
+	s, err := newSQLStore(cfg, nil, nil, bus, tracer)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	s.features = features
+	s.tracer = tracer
+
+	return s, nil
+}
+
 func newSQLStore(cfg *setting.Cfg, engine *xorm.Engine,
 	migrations registry.DatabaseMigrator, bus bus.Bus, tracer tracing.Tracer, opts ...InitTestDBOpt) (*SQLStore, error) {
 	ss := &SQLStore{