diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0239ac3..16f8709 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -29,9 +29,11 @@ This charm supports the use of Juju Network Spaces, allowing the charm to be bou
 
 API endpoints can be bound to distinct network spaces supporting the network separation of public, internal and admin endpoints.
 
+Access to the underlying MySQL instance can also be bound to a specific space using the shared-db relation.
+
 To use this feature, use the --bind option when deploying the charm:
 
-    juju deploy heat --bind "public=public-space internal=internal-space admin=admin-space"
+    juju deploy heat --bind "public=public-space internal=internal-space admin=admin-space shared-db=internal-space"
 
 alternatively these can also be provided as part of a juju native bundle configuration:
 
@@ -42,6 +44,7 @@ alternatively these can also be provided as part of a juju native bundle configu
         public: public-space
         admin: admin-space
         internal: internal-space
+        shared-db: internal-space
 
 NOTE: Spaces must be configured in the underlying provider prior to attempting to use them.
 
diff --git a/hooks/heat_relations.py b/hooks/heat_relations.py
index 2bc7673..43a1363 100755
--- a/hooks/heat_relations.py
+++ b/hooks/heat_relations.py
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ from charmhelpers.core.hookenv import (
     leader_get,
     leader_set,
     is_leader,
+    network_get_primary_address,
 )
 
 from charmhelpers.core.host import (
@@ -166,9 +167,17 @@ def db_joined():
                                           config('database-user'),
                                           relation_prefix='heat')
     else:
+        host = None
+        try:
+            # NOTE: try to use network spaces
+            host = network_get_primary_address('shared-db')
+        except NotImplementedError:
+            # NOTE: fallback to private-address
+            host = unit_get('private-address')
+
         relation_set(database=config('database'),
                      username=config('database-user'),
-                     hostname=unit_get('private-address'))
+                     hostname=host)
 
 
 @hooks.hook('shared-db-relation-changed')
diff --git a/unit_tests/test_heat_relations.py b/unit_tests/test_heat_relations.py
index ec4d11f..0a64f5a 100644
--- a/unit_tests/test_heat_relations.py
+++ b/unit_tests/test_heat_relations.py
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ TO_PATCH = [
     'open_port',
     'relation_set',
     'unit_get',
+    'network_get_primary_address',
     # charmhelpers.core.host
     'apt_install',
     'apt_update',
@@ -68,6 +69,7 @@ class HeatRelationTests(CharmTestCase):
         super(HeatRelationTests, self).setUp(relations, TO_PATCH)
         self.config.side_effect = self.test_config.get
         self.charm_dir.return_value = '/var/lib/juju/charms/heat/charm'
+        self.network_get_primary_address.side_effect = NotImplementedError
 
     def test_install_hook(self):
         repo = 'cloud:precise-havana'
@@ -106,6 +108,16 @@ class HeatRelationTests(CharmTestCase):
 
         self.assertFalse(self.do_openstack_upgrade.called)
 
+    def test_db_joined_spaces(self):
+        self.network_get_primary_address.side_effect = None
+        self.network_get_primary_address.return_value = '192.168.20.1'
+        self.unit_get.return_value = 'heat.foohost.com'
+        relations.db_joined()
+        self.relation_set.assert_called_with(database='heat',
+                                             username='heat',
+                                             hostname='192.168.20.1')
+        self.assertFalse(self.unit_get.called)
+
     def test_db_joined(self):
         self.unit_get.return_value = 'heat.foohost.com'
         relations.db_joined()