diff --git a/pynecone/app.py b/pynecone/app.py
index cbec551f2..e98c2c5ce 100644
--- a/pynecone/app.py
+++ b/pynecone/app.py
@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ from pynecone.compiler import utils as compiler_utils
 from pynecone.components.component import Component, ComponentStyle
 from pynecone.event import Event, EventHandler
 from pynecone.middleware import HydrateMiddleware, Middleware
-from pynecone.model import Model
 from pynecone.state import DefaultState, Delta, State, StateManager, StateUpdate
 
 # Define custom types.
@@ -313,10 +312,6 @@ class App(Base):
             print("Skipping compilation in non-dev mode.")
             return
 
-        # Create the database models.
-        if config.db_url is not None:
-            Model.create_all()
-
         # Empty the .web pages directory
         compiler.purge_web_pages_dir()
 
diff --git a/pynecone/utils.py b/pynecone/utils.py
index 030504b49..93ac514a8 100644
--- a/pynecone/utils.py
+++ b/pynecone/utils.py
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from pynecone.components.component import ImportDict
     from pynecone.config import Config
     from pynecone.event import Event, EventHandler, EventSpec
+    from pynecone.model import Model
     from pynecone.var import Var
 
 # Shorthand for join.
@@ -714,6 +715,15 @@ def change_or_terminate_port(port, _type) -> str:
         sys.exit()
 
 
+def setup_backend():
+    """Sets up backend. Specifically ensures backend
+    database is updated when running --no-frontend.
+    """
+    config = get_config()
+    if config.db_url is not None:
+        Model.create_all()
+
+
 def run_backend(
     app_name: str, port: int, loglevel: constants.LogLevel = constants.LogLevel.ERROR
 ):
@@ -724,6 +734,8 @@ def run_backend(
         port: The app port
         loglevel: The log level.
     """
+    setup_backend()
+
     uvicorn.run(
         f"{app_name}:{constants.APP_VAR}.{constants.API_VAR}",
         host=constants.BACKEND_HOST,
@@ -743,6 +755,8 @@ def run_backend_prod(
         port: The app port
         loglevel: The log level.
     """
+    setup_backend()
+
     num_workers = get_num_workers()
     command = constants.RUN_BACKEND_PROD + [
         "--bind",