diff --git a/awx/main/tasks.py b/awx/main/tasks.py
index 27ad41faa7..331bbc76ef 100644
--- a/awx/main/tasks.py
+++ b/awx/main/tasks.py
@@ -360,18 +360,17 @@ def update_host_smart_inventory_memberships():
 def delete_inventory(inventory_id):
     with ignore_inventory_computed_fields(), \
             ignore_inventory_group_removal():
-        with transaction.atomic():
-            try:
-                i = Inventory.objects.get(id=inventory_id)
-            except Inventory.DoesNotExist:
-                logger.error("Delete Inventory failed due to missing inventory: " + str(inventory_id))
-                return
+        try:
+            i = Inventory.objects.get(id=inventory_id)
             i.delete()
-    emit_channel_notification(
-        'inventories-status_changed',
-        {'group_name': 'inventories', 'inventory_id': inventory_id, 'status': 'deleted'}
-    )
-    logger.debug('Deleted inventory: %s' % inventory_id)
+            emit_channel_notification(
+                'inventories-status_changed',
+                {'group_name': 'inventories', 'inventory_id': inventory_id, 'status': 'deleted'}
+            )
+            logger.debug('Deleted inventory: %s' % inventory_id)
+        except Inventory.DoesNotExist:
+            logger.error("Delete Inventory failed due to missing inventory: " + str(inventory_id))
+            return
 
 
 class BaseTask(Task):