diff --git a/lib/pleroma/release_tasks.ex b/lib/pleroma/release_tasks.ex
index d6720cd05..8afabf463 100644
--- a/lib/pleroma/release_tasks.ex
+++ b/lib/pleroma/release_tasks.ex
@@ -44,6 +44,8 @@ def rollback(args) do
   end
 
   def create do
+    Application.load(:pleroma)
+
     case @repo.__adapter__.storage_up(@repo.config) do
       :ok ->
         IO.puts("The database for #{inspect(@repo)} has been created")