diff --git a/app/app/cli.py b/app/app/cli.py
index ad32396..f7ba95d 100644
--- a/app/app/cli.py
+++ b/app/app/cli.py
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ def main():
     """CLI entry point for running the development server."""
     try:
         from django.core.management import execute_from_command_line
+        from django.db import connections
+        from django.apps import apps
     except ImportError as exc:
         raise ImportError(
             "Couldn't import Django. Make sure it's installed and "
@@ -28,6 +30,9 @@ def main():
         if len(sys.argv) > 2:
             os.environ["LAB_CONTENT_ENTRYPOINT"] = sys.argv[2]
         execute_from_command_line(["manage.py", "migrate"])
+        for conn in connections.all():
+            conn.close()
+        apps.clear_cache()
         execute_from_command_line(["manage.py", "runserver"])
     else:
         print(f"Unknown command: {sys.argv[1]}")