diff --git a/rhodecode/authentication/__init__.py b/rhodecode/authentication/__init__.py
--- a/rhodecode/authentication/__init__.py
+++ b/rhodecode/authentication/__init__.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 # RhodeCode Enterprise Edition, including its added features, Support services,
 # and proprietary license terms, please see https://rhodecode.com/licenses/
 
+import os
 import logging
 import importlib
 
@@ -120,6 +121,11 @@ def includeme(config):
                     route_name='auth_home',
                     context=AuthnRootResource)
 
+    for key in ['RC_CMD_SETUP_RC', 'RC_CMD_UPGRADE_DB', 'RC_CMD_SSH_WRAPPER']:
+        if os.environ.get(key):
+            # skip this heavy step below on certain CLI commands
+            return
+
     # Auto discover authentication plugins and include their configuration.
     _discover_plugins(config)
     _discover_legacy_plugins(config)