diff --git a/rhodecode/subscribers.py b/rhodecode/subscribers.py
--- a/rhodecode/subscribers.py
+++ b/rhodecode/subscribers.py
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ def auto_merge_pr_if_needed(event):
                 scm=pull_request.target_repo.repo_type)
             from rc_ee.lib.celerylib.tasks import auto_merge_repo
             auto_merge_repo.apply_async(
-                args=(pull_request.pull_request_id, extras)
+                args=(pull_request.pull_request_id, extras), countdown=3
             )