diff --git a/test_tools/external_db.py b/test_tools/external_db.py
index 108c11ace..48f80655c 100644
--- a/test_tools/external_db.py
+++ b/test_tools/external_db.py
@@ -8,13 +8,10 @@
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope="session")
 def ensure_db():
-    query = f"SELECT count(*) FROM pg_database WHERE datname = %s"
     statement = f"""CREATE DATABASE {EXTERNAL_DB_NAME} TEMPLATE {settings.LAYMAN_PG_TEMPLATE_DBNAME}"""
 
     with app.app_context():
-        res = db_util.run_query(query, (EXTERNAL_DB_NAME,))
-        if not res[0][0] == 1:
-            db_util.run_statement(statement)
+        db_util.run_statement(statement)
 
     yield