diff --git a/rally/cli/cliutils.py b/rally/cli/cliutils.py
index 6aec97981e..b4a962a8eb 100644
--- a/rally/cli/cliutils.py
+++ b/rally/cli/cliutils.py
@@ -519,9 +519,6 @@ def run(argv, categories):
         return(1)
 
     try:
-        discover.load_plugins("/opt/rally/plugins/")
-        discover.load_plugins(os.path.expanduser("~/.rally/plugins/"))
-        discover.import_modules_from_package("rally.plugins")
         for path in CONF.plugin_paths or []:
             discover.load_plugins(path)
 
diff --git a/rally/cli/commands/deployment.py b/rally/cli/commands/deployment.py
index eec5a6adba..f8161b097c 100644
--- a/rally/cli/commands/deployment.py
+++ b/rally/cli/commands/deployment.py
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ from rally import db
 from rally import exceptions
 from rally import objects
 from rally import osclients
+from rally import plugins
 
 
 class DeploymentCommands(object):
@@ -49,6 +50,7 @@ class DeploymentCommands(object):
     @cliutils.args("--no-use", action="store_false", dest="do_use",
                    help="Don\'t set new deployment as default for"
                         " future operations")
+    @plugins.ensure_plugins_are_loaded
     def create(self, name, fromenv=False, filename=None, do_use=False):
         """Create new deployment.
 
@@ -130,6 +132,7 @@ class DeploymentCommands(object):
     @cliutils.args("--deployment", dest="deployment", type=str,
                    required=False, help="UUID or name of a deployment.")
     @envutils.with_default_deployment()
+    @plugins.ensure_plugins_are_loaded
     def recreate(self, deployment=None):
         """Destroy and create an existing deployment.
 
@@ -143,6 +146,7 @@ class DeploymentCommands(object):
     @cliutils.args("--deployment", dest="deployment", type=str,
                    required=False, help="UUID or name of a deployment.")
     @envutils.with_default_deployment()
+    @plugins.ensure_plugins_are_loaded
     def destroy(self, deployment=None):
         """Destroy existing deployment.
 
diff --git a/rally/cli/commands/info.py b/rally/cli/commands/info.py
index 93a60ce7d2..cef6374334 100644
--- a/rally/cli/commands/info.py
+++ b/rally/cli/commands/info.py
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ from rally.common import utils
 from rally.deployment import engine
 from rally.deployment.serverprovider import provider
 from rally import exceptions
+from rally import plugins
 from rally.task.scenarios import base as scenario_base
 from rally.task import sla
 
@@ -79,6 +80,7 @@ class InfoCommands(object):
     """
 
     @cliutils.args("--query", dest="query", type=str, help="Search query.")
+    @plugins.ensure_plugins_are_loaded
     def find(self, query):
         """Search for an entity that matches the query and print info about it.
 
@@ -100,6 +102,7 @@ class InfoCommands(object):
                           "\n\t".join(substitutions))
                 return 1
 
+    @plugins.ensure_plugins_are_loaded
     def list(self):
         """List main entities in Rally for which rally info find works.
 
@@ -110,6 +113,7 @@ class InfoCommands(object):
         self.DeploymentEngines()
         self.ServerProviders()
 
+    @plugins.ensure_plugins_are_loaded
     def BenchmarkScenarios(self):
         """Get information about benchmark scenarios available in Rally."""
         def scenarios_filter(scenario_cls):
@@ -142,6 +146,7 @@ class InfoCommands(object):
                 "  $ rally info find <ScenarioGroupName>\n\n")
         print(info)
 
+    @plugins.ensure_plugins_are_loaded
     def SLA(self):
         """Get information about SLA available in Rally."""
         sla_descrs = self._get_descriptions(sla.SLA)
@@ -173,6 +178,7 @@ class InfoCommands(object):
                 "  $ rally info find <sla_check_name>\n")
         print(info)
 
+    @plugins.ensure_plugins_are_loaded
     def DeploymentEngines(self):
         """Get information about deploy engines available in Rally."""
         engines = self._get_descriptions(engine.EngineFactory)
@@ -206,6 +212,7 @@ class InfoCommands(object):
                 "  $ rally info find <DeploymentEngineName>\n")
         print(info)
 
+    @plugins.ensure_plugins_are_loaded
     def ServerProviders(self):
         """Get information about server providers available in Rally."""
         providers = self._get_descriptions(provider.ProviderFactory)
diff --git a/rally/cli/commands/task.py b/rally/cli/commands/task.py
index 7509747052..f1c40e12c8 100644
--- a/rally/cli/commands/task.py
+++ b/rally/cli/commands/task.py
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ from rally import consts
 from rally import db
 from rally import exceptions
 from rally import objects
+from rally import plugins
 from rally.task.processing import plot
 from rally.task.processing import utils
 
@@ -132,6 +133,7 @@ class TaskCommands(object):
                         "json/yaml). These args are used to render input "
                         "task that is jinja2 template.")
     @envutils.with_default_deployment(cli_arg_name="deployment")
+    @plugins.ensure_plugins_are_loaded
     def validate(self, task, deployment=None, task_args=None,
                  task_args_file=None):
         """Validate a task configuration file.
@@ -178,6 +180,7 @@ class TaskCommands(object):
                    help="Abort the execution of a benchmark scenario when"
                         "any SLA check for it fails")
     @envutils.with_default_deployment(cli_arg_name="deployment")
+    @plugins.ensure_plugins_are_loaded
     def start(self, task, deployment=None, task_args=None, task_args_file=None,
               tag=None, do_use=False, abort_on_sla_failure=False):
         """Start benchmark task.
diff --git a/rally/db/api.py b/rally/db/api.py
index 9d0ff1019a..892461e144 100644
--- a/rally/db/api.py
+++ b/rally/db/api.py
@@ -50,24 +50,33 @@ CONF = cfg.CONF
 db_options.set_defaults(CONF, connection="sqlite:////tmp/rally.sqlite",
                         sqlite_db="rally.sqlite")
 
-_BACKEND_MAPPING = {"sqlalchemy": "rally.db.sqlalchemy.api"}
 
-IMPL = db_api.DBAPI.from_config(CONF, backend_mapping=_BACKEND_MAPPING)
+IMPL = None
+
+
+def get_impl():
+    global IMPL
+
+    if not IMPL:
+        _BACKEND_MAPPING = {"sqlalchemy": "rally.db.sqlalchemy.api"}
+        IMPL = db_api.DBAPI.from_config(CONF, backend_mapping=_BACKEND_MAPPING)
+
+    return IMPL
 
 
 def db_cleanup():
     """Recreate engine."""
-    IMPL.db_cleanup()
+    get_impl().db_cleanup()
 
 
 def db_create():
     """Initialize DB. This method will drop existing database."""
-    IMPL.db_create()
+    get_impl().db_create()
 
 
 def db_drop():
     """Drop DB. This method drop existing database."""
-    IMPL.db_drop()
+    get_impl().db_drop()
 
 
 def task_get(uuid):
@@ -77,12 +86,12 @@ def task_get(uuid):
     :raises: :class:`rally.exceptions.TaskNotFound` if the task does not exist.
     :returns: task dict with data on the task.
     """
-    return IMPL.task_get(uuid)
+    return get_impl().task_get(uuid)
 
 
 def task_get_detailed_last():
     """Returns the most recently created task."""
-    return IMPL.task_get_detailed_last()
+    return get_impl().task_get_detailed_last()
 
 
 def task_get_detailed(uuid):
@@ -91,7 +100,7 @@ def task_get_detailed(uuid):
     :param uuid: UUID of the task.
     :returns: task dict with data on the task and its results.
     """
-    return IMPL.task_get_detailed(uuid)
+    return get_impl().task_get_detailed(uuid)
 
 
 def task_create(values):
@@ -100,7 +109,7 @@ def task_create(values):
     :param values: dict with record values.
     :returns: task dict with data on the task.
     """
-    return IMPL.task_create(values)
+    return get_impl().task_create(values)
 
 
 def task_update(uuid, values):
@@ -111,7 +120,7 @@ def task_update(uuid, values):
     :raises: :class:`rally.exceptions.TaskNotFound` if the task does not exist.
     :returns: new updated task dict with data on the task.
     """
-    return IMPL.task_update(uuid, values)
+    return get_impl().task_update(uuid, values)
 
 
 def task_list(status=None, deployment=None):
@@ -124,7 +133,7 @@ def task_list(status=None, deployment=None):
                       returned.
     :returns: A list of dicts with data on the tasks.
     """
-    return IMPL.task_list(status=status, deployment=deployment)
+    return get_impl().task_list(status=status, deployment=deployment)
 
 
 def task_delete(uuid, status=None):
@@ -139,7 +148,7 @@ def task_delete(uuid, status=None):
     :raises: :class:`rally.exceptions.TaskInvalidStatus` if the status
              of the task does not equal to the status argument.
     """
-    return IMPL.task_delete(uuid, status=status)
+    return get_impl().task_delete(uuid, status=status)
 
 
 def task_result_get_all_by_uuid(task_uuid):
@@ -148,7 +157,7 @@ def task_result_get_all_by_uuid(task_uuid):
     :param task_uuid: string with UUID of Task instance.
     :returns: list instances of TaskResult.
     """
-    return IMPL.task_result_get_all_by_uuid(task_uuid)
+    return get_impl().task_result_get_all_by_uuid(task_uuid)
 
 
 def task_result_create(task_uuid, key, data):
@@ -159,7 +168,7 @@ def task_result_create(task_uuid, key, data):
     :param data: data expected to update in task result.
     :returns: TaskResult instance appended.
     """
-    return IMPL.task_result_create(task_uuid, key, data)
+    return get_impl().task_result_create(task_uuid, key, data)
 
 
 def deployment_create(values):
@@ -168,7 +177,7 @@ def deployment_create(values):
     :param values: dict with record values on the deployment.
     :returns: a dict with data on the deployment.
     """
-    return IMPL.deployment_create(values)
+    return get_impl().deployment_create(values)
 
 
 def deployment_delete(uuid):
@@ -180,7 +189,7 @@ def deployment_delete(uuid):
     :raises: :class:`rally.exceptions.DeploymentIsBusy` if the resource is
              not enough.
     """
-    return IMPL.deployment_delete(uuid)
+    return get_impl().deployment_delete(uuid)
 
 
 def deployment_get(deployment):
@@ -191,7 +200,7 @@ def deployment_get(deployment):
              does not exist.
     :returns: a dict with data on the deployment.
     """
-    return IMPL.deployment_get(deployment)
+    return get_impl().deployment_get(deployment)
 
 
 def deployment_update(uuid, values):
@@ -203,7 +212,7 @@ def deployment_update(uuid, values):
              does not exist.
     :returns: a dict with data on the deployment.
     """
-    return IMPL.deployment_update(uuid, values)
+    return get_impl().deployment_update(uuid, values)
 
 
 def deployment_list(status=None, parent_uuid=None, name=None):
@@ -215,8 +224,8 @@ def deployment_list(status=None, parent_uuid=None, name=None):
     :param name: Name of deployment
     :returns: a list of dicts with data on the deployments.
     """
-    return IMPL.deployment_list(status=status, parent_uuid=parent_uuid,
-                                name=name)
+    return get_impl().deployment_list(status=status, parent_uuid=parent_uuid,
+                                      name=name)
 
 
 def resource_create(values):
@@ -225,7 +234,7 @@ def resource_create(values):
     :param values: a dict with data on the resource.
     :returns: a dict with updated data on the resource.
     """
-    return IMPL.resource_create(values)
+    return get_impl().resource_create(values)
 
 
 def resource_get_all(deployment_uuid, provider_name=None, type=None):
@@ -237,9 +246,9 @@ def resource_get_all(deployment_uuid, provider_name=None, type=None):
     :param type: filter by type, if is None, then return all types
     :returns: a list of dicts with data on a resource
     """
-    return IMPL.resource_get_all(deployment_uuid,
-                                 provider_name=provider_name,
-                                 type=type)
+    return get_impl().resource_get_all(deployment_uuid,
+                                       provider_name=provider_name,
+                                       type=type)
 
 
 def resource_delete(id):
@@ -249,7 +258,7 @@ def resource_delete(id):
     :raises: :class:`rally.exceptions.ResourceNotFound` if the resource
              does not exist.
     """
-    return IMPL.resource_delete(id)
+    return get_impl().resource_delete(id)
 
 
 def verification_create(deployment_uuid):
@@ -258,7 +267,7 @@ def verification_create(deployment_uuid):
     :param deployment_uuid: UUID of the deployment.
     :returns: a dict with verification data.
     """
-    return IMPL.verification_create(deployment_uuid)
+    return get_impl().verification_create(deployment_uuid)
 
 
 def verification_get(verification_uuid):
@@ -269,7 +278,7 @@ def verification_get(verification_uuid):
              does not exist.
     :returns: a dict with verification data.
     """
-    return IMPL.verification_get(verification_uuid)
+    return get_impl().verification_get(verification_uuid)
 
 
 def verification_delete(verification_uuid):
@@ -279,7 +288,7 @@ def verification_delete(verification_uuid):
     :raises: :class:`rally.exceptions.NotFoundException` if verification
              does not exist.
     """
-    return IMPL.verification_delete(verification_uuid)
+    return get_impl().verification_delete(verification_uuid)
 
 
 def verification_update(uuid, values):
@@ -291,7 +300,7 @@ def verification_update(uuid, values):
              does not exist.
     :returns: new updated task dict with data on the task.
     """
-    return IMPL.verification_update(uuid, values)
+    return get_impl().verification_update(uuid, values)
 
 
 def verification_list(status=None):
@@ -300,7 +309,7 @@ def verification_list(status=None):
     :param status: Verification status to filter the returned list on.
     :returns: A list of dicts with data on the verifications.
     """
-    return IMPL.verification_list(status=status)
+    return get_impl().verification_list(status=status)
 
 
 def verification_result_get(verification_uuid):
@@ -309,7 +318,7 @@ def verification_result_get(verification_uuid):
     :param verification_uuid: string with UUID of Verification instance.
     :returns: dict instance of VerificationResult.
     """
-    return IMPL.verification_result_get(verification_uuid)
+    return get_impl().verification_result_get(verification_uuid)
 
 
 def verification_result_create(verification_uuid, values):
@@ -319,7 +328,7 @@ def verification_result_create(verification_uuid, values):
     :param values: dict with record values.
     :returns: TaskResult instance appended.
     """
-    return IMPL.verification_result_create(verification_uuid, values)
+    return get_impl().verification_result_create(verification_uuid, values)
 
 
 def register_worker(values):
@@ -333,7 +342,7 @@ def register_worker(values):
     :returns: A worker.
     :raises: WorkerAlreadyRegistered
     """
-    return IMPL.register_worker(values)
+    return get_impl().register_worker(values)
 
 
 def get_worker(hostname):
@@ -343,7 +352,7 @@ def get_worker(hostname):
     :returns: A worker.
     :raises: WorkerNotFound
     """
-    return IMPL.get_worker(hostname)
+    return get_impl().get_worker(hostname)
 
 
 def unregister_worker(hostname):
@@ -352,7 +361,7 @@ def unregister_worker(hostname):
     :param hostname: The hostname of the worker service.
     :raises: WorkerNotFound
     """
-    IMPL.unregister_worker(hostname)
+    get_impl().unregister_worker(hostname)
 
 
 def update_worker(hostname):
@@ -361,4 +370,4 @@ def update_worker(hostname):
     :param hostname: The hostname of this worker service.
     :raises: WorkerNotFound
     """
-    IMPL.update_worker(hostname)
+    get_impl().update_worker(hostname)
diff --git a/rally/deployment/__init__.py b/rally/deployment/__init__.py
index c776e099cc..e69de29bb2 100644
--- a/rally/deployment/__init__.py
+++ b/rally/deployment/__init__.py
@@ -1,21 +0,0 @@
-# Copyright 2013: Mirantis Inc.
-# All Rights Reserved.
-#
-#    Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
-#    not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain
-#    a copy of the License at
-#
-#         http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
-#
-#    Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
-#    distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT
-#    WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the
-#    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
-#    under the License.
-
-from rally.deployment.engine import *  # noqa
-from rally.common.plugin import discover
-
-
-discover.import_modules_from_package("rally.deployment.engines")
-discover.import_modules_from_package("rally.deployment.serverprovider")
diff --git a/rally/deployment/engine.py b/rally/deployment/engine.py
index ed17c4b6ee..e4db6a300e 100644
--- a/rally/deployment/engine.py
+++ b/rally/deployment/engine.py
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ class EngineFactory(plugin.Plugin):
                         "does not exist.") %
                       {"uuid": deployment["uuid"], "name": name})
             deployment.update_status(consts.DeployStatus.DEPLOY_FAILED)
-            raise exceptions.PluginNotFound(engine_name=name)
+            raise exceptions.PluginNotFound(name=name)
 
     @abc.abstractmethod
     def deploy(self):
diff --git a/rally/plugins/__init__.py b/rally/plugins/__init__.py
index e69de29bb2..855229808a 100644
--- a/rally/plugins/__init__.py
+++ b/rally/plugins/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+# Copyright 2015: Mirantis Inc.
+# All Rights Reserved.
+#
+#    Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
+#    not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain
+#    a copy of the License at
+#
+#         http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+#    Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+#    distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT
+#    WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the
+#    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
+#    under the License.
+
+import os
+
+import decorator
+
+from rally.common.plugin import discover
+
+
+PLUGINS_LOADED = False
+
+
+def load():
+    global PLUGINS_LOADED
+
+    if not PLUGINS_LOADED:
+        discover.import_modules_from_package("rally.deployment.engines")
+        discover.import_modules_from_package("rally.deployment.serverprovider")
+        discover.import_modules_from_package("rally.plugins")
+
+        discover.load_plugins("/opt/rally/plugins/")
+        discover.load_plugins(os.path.expanduser("~/.rally/plugins/"))
+
+    PLUGINS_LOADED = True
+
+
+@decorator.decorator
+def ensure_plugins_are_loaded(f, *args, **kwargs):
+    load()
+    return f(*args, **kwargs)
diff --git a/rally/ui/utils.py b/rally/ui/utils.py
index 92da346b74..94f55cf240 100644
--- a/rally/ui/utils.py
+++ b/rally/ui/utils.py
@@ -15,39 +15,38 @@
 
 from __future__ import print_function
 import os.path
+import re
 import sys
 
-import mako.exceptions
-import mako.lookup
-import mako.template
-
-
-templates_dir = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "templates")
-
-lookup_dirs = [templates_dir,
-               os.path.abspath(os.path.join(templates_dir, "..", "..", ".."))]
-
-lookup = mako.lookup.TemplateLookup(directories=lookup_dirs)
-
 
 def get_template(template_path):
+    import mako.lookup
+
+    templates_dir = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "templates")
+
+    lookup_dirs = [
+        templates_dir,
+        os.path.abspath(os.path.join(templates_dir, "..", "..", ".."))
+    ]
+
+    lookup = mako.lookup.TemplateLookup(directories=lookup_dirs)
+
     return lookup.get_template(template_path)
 
 
 def main(*args):
-    if len(args) < 2 or args[0] != "render":
-        exit("Usage: \n\t"
-             "utils.py render <lookup/path/to/template.mako> "
-             "<key-1>=<value-1> <key-2>=<value-2>\n"
-             "where key-1,value-1 and key-2,value-2 are key pairs of template")
-    try:
-        render_kwargs = dict([arg.split("=") for arg in args[2:]])
+    if (len(args) < 2 or args[0] != "render"
+       or not all(re.match("^[^=]+=[^=]+$", arg) for arg in args[2:])):
+        raise ValueError(
+            "Usage: \n\t"
+            "utils.py render <lookup/path/to/template.mako> "
+            "<key-1>=<value-1> <key-2>=<value-2>\n\n\t"
+            "Where key-1,value-1 and key-2,value-2 are key pairs of template"
+        )
 
-        print(get_template(sys.argv[2]).render(**render_kwargs))
-    except mako.exceptions.TopLevelLookupException as e:
-        exit(e)
+    render_kwargs = dict([arg.split("=") for arg in args[2:]])
+    print(get_template(args[1]).render(**render_kwargs))
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
-    args = sys.argv[1:]
-    main(*args)
+    main(*sys.argv[1:])
diff --git a/rally/verification/tempest/compare2html.py b/rally/verification/tempest/compare2html.py
index 95bfb35f4f..e76bcaeb13 100644
--- a/rally/verification/tempest/compare2html.py
+++ b/rally/verification/tempest/compare2html.py
@@ -13,14 +13,14 @@
 
 import os
 
-import mako.template
-
 __description__ = "List differences between two verification runs"
 __title__ = "Verification Comparison"
 __version__ = "0.1"
 
 
 def create_report(results):
+    import mako.template
+
     template_kw = {
         "heading": {
             "title": __title__,
diff --git a/tests/unit/test.py b/tests/unit/test.py
index 0bfe7f68ab..b91f30fec9 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ from oslotest import base
 from oslotest import mockpatch
 
 from rally import db
+from rally import plugins
 from tests.unit import fakes
 
 
@@ -41,6 +42,7 @@ class TestCase(base.BaseTestCase):
     def setUp(self):
         super(TestCase, self).setUp()
         self.addCleanup(mock.patch.stopall)
+        plugins.load()
 
     def _test_atomic_action_timer(self, atomic_actions, name):
         action_duration = atomic_actions.get(name)
diff --git a/tests/unit/ui/test_utils.py b/tests/unit/ui/test_utils.py
index c1374881d0..69312bc618 100644
--- a/tests/unit/ui/test_utils.py
+++ b/tests/unit/ui/test_utils.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 #    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
 #    under the License.
 
-
+import mako
 import mock
 
 from rally.ui import utils
@@ -22,17 +22,21 @@ from tests.unit import test
 
 class PlotTestCase(test.TestCase):
 
-    def test_lookup(self):
-        self.assertIsInstance(utils.lookup, utils.mako.lookup.TemplateLookup)
-        self.assertIsInstance(utils.lookup.get_template("/base.mako"),
-                              utils.mako.lookup.Template)
-        self.assertRaises(
-            utils.mako.lookup.exceptions.TopLevelLookupException,
-            utils.lookup.get_template, "absent_template")
+    def test_get_template(self):
+        self.assertIsInstance(utils.get_template("task/report.mako"),
+                              mako.template.Template)
 
-    @mock.patch("rally.ui.utils.lookup")
-    def test_get_template(self, mock_lookup):
-        mock_lookup.get_template.return_value = "foo_template"
-        template = utils.get_template("foo_path")
-        self.assertEqual(template, "foo_template")
-        mock_lookup.get_template.assert_called_once_with("foo_path")
+    @mock.patch("rally.ui.utils.get_template")
+    def test_main(self, mock_get_template):
+        utils.main("render", "somepath", "a=1", "b=2")
+
+        mock_get_template.assert_called_once_with("somepath")
+        mock_get_template.return_value.render.assert_called_once_with(
+            a="1", b="2"
+        )
+
+    def test_main_bad_input(self):
+        self.assertRaises(ValueError, utils.main)
+        self.assertRaises(ValueError, utils.main, "not_a_render")
+        self.assertRaises(ValueError, utils.main, "render")
+        self.assertRaises(ValueError, utils.main, "render", "path", "a 1")