diff --git a/tests/app/dao/test_users_dao.py b/tests/app/dao/test_users_dao.py
index 0bc417b21..6b4b982b7 100644
--- a/tests/app/dao/test_users_dao.py
+++ b/tests/app/dao/test_users_dao.py
@@ -21,8 +21,7 @@ from app.models import User, VerifyCode
 from tests.app.db import create_user
 
 
-@pytest.mark.usefixtures('notify_db_session')
-def test_create_user():
+def test_create_user(notify_db_session):
     email = 'notify@digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk'
     data = {
         'name': 'Test User',
@@ -38,8 +37,7 @@ def test_create_user():
     assert not user.platform_admin
 
 
-@pytest.mark.usefixtures('notify_db_session')
-def test_get_all_users():
+def test_get_all_users(notify_db_session):
     create_user(email='1@test.com')
     create_user(email='2@test.com')
 
@@ -47,21 +45,18 @@ def test_get_all_users():
     assert len(get_user_by_id()) == 2
 
 
-@pytest.mark.usefixtures('notify_db_session')
-def test_get_user():
+def test_get_user(notify_db_session):
     email = '1@test.com'
     user = create_user(email=email)
     assert get_user_by_id(user_id=user.id).email_address == email
 
 
-@pytest.mark.usefixtures('notify_db_session')
-def test_get_user_not_exists(fake_uuid):
+def test_get_user_not_exists(notify_db_session, fake_uuid):
     with pytest.raises(NoResultFound):
         get_user_by_id(user_id=fake_uuid)
 
 
-@pytest.mark.usefixtures('notify_db_session')
-def test_get_user_invalid_id():
+def test_get_user_invalid_id(notify_db_session):
     with pytest.raises(DataError):
         get_user_by_id(user_id="blah")
 
diff --git a/tests/app/db.py b/tests/app/db.py
index 136ce5c50..cb64f86db 100644
--- a/tests/app/db.py
+++ b/tests/app/db.py
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ def create_user(mobile_number="+447700900986", email="notify@digital.cabinet-off
         'mobile_number': mobile_number,
         'state': 'active'
     }
-    usr = User.query.filter_by(email_address=email).first()
-    if not usr:
-        usr = User(**data)
-    save_model_user(usr)
-    return usr
+    user = User.query.filter_by(email_address=email).first()
+    if not user:
+        user = User(**data)
+    save_model_user(user)
+    return user