diff --git a/example_project/portal_test_settings.py b/example_project/portal_test_settings.py
index 9694f2036..38e232184 100644
--- a/example_project/portal_test_settings.py
+++ b/example_project/portal_test_settings.py
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@
         "NAME": os.path.join(
             os.path.abspath(os.path.dirname(__file__)), "db.sqlite3"
         ),  # Or path to database file if using sqlite3.
+        "ATOMIC_REQUESTS": True,
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/example_project/settings.py b/example_project/settings.py
index 1b037b461..a088cc625 100644
--- a/example_project/settings.py
+++ b/example_project/settings.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
         "NAME": os.path.join(
             os.path.abspath(os.path.dirname(__file__)), "db.sqlite3"
         ),  # Or path to database file if using sqlite3.
+        "ATOMIC_REQUESTS": True,
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/portal/tests/test_emails.py b/portal/tests/test_emails.py
index 2ae890366..b48f5f2a9 100644
--- a/portal/tests/test_emails.py
+++ b/portal/tests/test_emails.py
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ def test_newsletter_calls_correct_requests(mocker, monkeypatch):
     mocked_add_to_address_book.assert_called_once()
 
 
+@pytest.mark.django_db
 def test_newsletter_get_not_allowed():
     c = Client()