diff --git a/migrations/env.py b/migrations/env.py
index 40e4f85..32d39d9 100644
--- a/migrations/env.py
+++ b/migrations/env.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ from alembic import context
 from sqlalchemy import engine_from_config, pool
 
 from sbom_nexus.config import database_target, migration_role
-from sbom_nexus.database import database_url, metadata
+from sbom_nexus.database import assume_migration_role, database_url, metadata
 
 config = context.config
 
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ def run_migrations_online() -> None:
         if role and connection.dialect.name != "postgresql":
             raise RuntimeError("SBOM_NEXUS_MIGRATION_ROLE requires PostgreSQL")
         if role:
-            connection.exec_driver_sql(f'SET ROLE "{role}"')
+            assume_migration_role(connection, role)
         context.configure(
             connection=connection,
             target_metadata=target_metadata,
diff --git a/src/sbom_nexus/database.py b/src/sbom_nexus/database.py
index a5cd60e..2d36a42 100644
--- a/src/sbom_nexus/database.py
+++ b/src/sbom_nexus/database.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ from sqlalchemy import (
     create_engine,
     event,
 )
-from sqlalchemy.engine import Engine
+from sqlalchemy.engine import Connection, Engine
 
 NAMING_CONVENTION = {
     "ix": "ix_%(table_name)s_%(column_0_name)s",
@@ -130,6 +130,15 @@ def database_url(value: str | Path) -> str:
     return text
 
 
+def assume_migration_role(connection: Connection, role: str) -> None:
+    """Assume the durable owner without leaving Alembic inside an outer txn."""
+    connection.exec_driver_sql(f'SET ROLE "{role}"')
+    # SQLAlchemy 2 autobegins on SET ROLE. Commit that transaction before
+    # Alembic opens its own so the migration transaction is not rolled back
+    # when the connection closes. SET ROLE remains active for the session.
+    connection.commit()
+
+
 def _dynamic_connection_factory(url_file: Path):
     def connect():
         try:
diff --git a/tests/test_database_rotation.py b/tests/test_database_rotation.py
index 742e874..9281ea8 100644
--- a/tests/test_database_rotation.py
+++ b/tests/test_database_rotation.py
@@ -5,6 +5,21 @@ from pathlib import Path
 from sbom_nexus import database
 
 
+def test_migration_role_commits_autobegin_before_alembic_transaction() -> None:
+    events: list[str] = []
+
+    class Connection:
+        def exec_driver_sql(self, statement: str) -> None:
+            events.append(statement)
+
+        def commit(self) -> None:
+            events.append("COMMIT")
+
+    database.assume_migration_role(Connection(), "sbom_nexus_owner")
+
+    assert events == ['SET ROLE "sbom_nexus_owner"', "COMMIT"]
+
+
 def test_dynamic_connection_factory_rereads_mounted_url(monkeypatch, tmp_path: Path) -> None:
     secret = tmp_path / "url"
     observed: list[str] = []
diff --git a/workplans/SBOM-WP-0004-database-lease-rotation.md b/workplans/SBOM-WP-0004-database-lease-rotation.md
index 52daeae..f06671f 100644
--- a/workplans/SBOM-WP-0004-database-lease-rotation.md
+++ b/workplans/SBOM-WP-0004-database-lease-rotation.md
@@ -37,6 +37,11 @@ replaced with the current mounted credential.
 Completed with tests proving two connection attempts observe two file values
 and that the engine URL contains neither username nor password.
 
+The first live promotion also exposed an Alembic `SET ROLE` autobegin defect:
+the migration logged success but its outer transaction rolled back on close.
+The migration role helper now commits only the role-assumption transaction
+before Alembic starts its own, with an ordering regression test.
+
 ## Separate liveness from database readiness
 
 ```task