diff --git a/app/models/embedded_ansible_worker.rb b/app/models/embedded_ansible_worker.rb
index 810f2151415..66a8da41539 100644
--- a/app/models/embedded_ansible_worker.rb
+++ b/app/models/embedded_ansible_worker.rb
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@ def start_runner
   end
 
   def start_monitor_thread
+    fix_connection_pool
+
     t = Thread.new do
       begin
         self.class::Runner.start_worker(worker_options)
@@ -58,4 +60,13 @@ def status_update
 
   # Base class methods we override since we don't have a separate process.  We might want to make these opt-in features in the base class that this subclass can choose to opt-out.
   def release_db_connection; end
+
+  private
+
+  def fix_connection_pool
+    # If we only have one connection in the pool, it will be being used by the server
+    # Add another so we can start the worker thread
+    current = ActiveRecord::Base.connection_pool.instance_variable_get(:@size)
+    ActiveRecord::Base.connection_pool.instance_variable_set(:@size, 2) if current == 1
+  end
 end
diff --git a/spec/models/embedded_ansible_worker_spec.rb b/spec/models/embedded_ansible_worker_spec.rb
index bf187c84078..d126797efbc 100644
--- a/spec/models/embedded_ansible_worker_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/embedded_ansible_worker_spec.rb
@@ -136,13 +136,26 @@
     end
 
     describe "#start_monitor_thread" do
-      it "sets worker class and id in thread object" do
+      let(:pool) { double("ConnectionPool") }
+
+      before do
         allow(Thread).to receive(:new).and_return({})
         allow(described_class::Runner).to receive(:start_worker)
+      end
+
+      it "sets worker class and id in thread object" do
         thread = subject.start_monitor_thread
         expect(thread[:worker_class]).to eq subject.class.name
         expect(thread[:worker_id]).to    eq subject.id
       end
+
+      it "adds a connection to the pool if there is only one" do
+        allow(ActiveRecord::Base).to receive(:connection_pool).and_return(pool)
+
+        expect(pool).to receive(:instance_variable_get).with(:@size).and_return(1)
+        expect(pool).to receive(:instance_variable_set).with(:@size, 2)
+        subject.start_monitor_thread
+      end
     end
 
     describe "#find_worker_thread_object" do