diff --git a/analytics/management/commands/realm_stats.py b/analytics/management/commands/realm_stats.py
index b99596a1f3..edb5f4f7ce 100644
--- a/analytics/management/commands/realm_stats.py
+++ b/analytics/management/commands/realm_stats.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import pytz
 from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand
 from django.db.models import Count
 from zerver.models import UserProfile, Realm, Stream, Message, Recipient, UserActivity, \
-    Subscription, UserMessage
+    Subscription, UserMessage, get_realm
 
 MOBILE_CLIENT_LIST = ["Android", "ios"]
 HUMAN_CLIENT_LIST = MOBILE_CLIENT_LIST + ["website"]
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
     def handle(self, *args, **options):
         if options['realms']:
             try:
-                realms = [Realm.objects.get(domain=domain) for domain in options['realms']]
+                realms = [get_realm(domain) for domain in options['realms']]
             except Realm.DoesNotExist, e:
                 print e
                 exit(1)
diff --git a/analytics/management/commands/stream_stats.py b/analytics/management/commands/stream_stats.py
index 48c757bbcf..06ab436f3e 100644
--- a/analytics/management/commands/stream_stats.py
+++ b/analytics/management/commands/stream_stats.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ from __future__ import absolute_import
 
 from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand
 from django.db.models import Q
-from zerver.models import Realm, Stream, Message, Subscription, Recipient
+from zerver.models import Realm, Stream, Message, Subscription, Recipient, get_realm
 
 class Command(BaseCommand):
     help = "Generate statistics on the streams for a realm."
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
     def handle(self, *args, **options):
         if options['realms']:
             try:
-                realms = [Realm.objects.get(domain=domain) for domain in options['realms']]
+                realms = [get_realm(domain) for domain in options['realms']]
             except Realm.DoesNotExist, e:
                 print e
                 exit(1)
diff --git a/analytics/management/commands/user_stats.py b/analytics/management/commands/user_stats.py
index 1383c76ec2..2ed336574d 100644
--- a/analytics/management/commands/user_stats.py
+++ b/analytics/management/commands/user_stats.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import datetime
 import pytz
 
 from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand
-from zerver.models import UserProfile, Realm, Stream, Message
+from zerver.models import UserProfile, Realm, Stream, Message, get_realm
 
 class Command(BaseCommand):
     help = "Generate statistics on user activity."
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
     def handle(self, *args, **options):
         if options['realms']:
             try:
-                realms = [Realm.objects.get(domain=domain) for domain in options['realms']]
+                realms = [get_realm(domain) for domain in options['realms']]
             except Realm.DoesNotExist, e:
                 print e
                 exit(1)
diff --git a/analytics/views.py b/analytics/views.py
index c8687e4497..70d35b891d 100644
--- a/analytics/views.py
+++ b/analytics/views.py
@@ -816,7 +816,7 @@ def get_realm_activity(request, realm):
     all_user_records = {}
 
     try:
-        admins = Realm.objects.get(domain=realm).get_admin_users()
+        admins = get_realm(realm).get_admin_users()
     except Realm.DoesNotExist:
         return HttpResponseNotFound("Realm %s does not exist" % (realm,))
 
diff --git a/zerver/forms.py b/zerver/forms.py
index 41a45e59f8..54e4dee3ec 100644
--- a/zerver/forms.py
+++ b/zerver/forms.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ def has_valid_realm(value):
     # Checks if there is a realm without invite_required
     # matching the domain of the input e-mail.
     try:
-        realm = Realm.objects.get(domain=resolve_email_to_domain(value))
+        realm = get_realm(resolve_email_to_domain(value))
     except Realm.DoesNotExist:
         return False
     return not realm.invite_required
diff --git a/zerver/lib/actions.py b/zerver/lib/actions.py
index fabfb4c37b..c31801298d 100644
--- a/zerver/lib/actions.py
+++ b/zerver/lib/actions.py
@@ -710,7 +710,7 @@ def recipient_for_emails(emails, not_forged_mirror_message,
     # and one of users is a zuliper
     if len(realm_domains) == 2:
         # I'm assuming that cross-realm PMs with the "admin realm" are rare, and therefore can be slower
-        admin_realm = Realm.objects.get(domain=settings.ADMIN_DOMAIN)
+        admin_realm = get_realm(settings.ADMIN_DOMAIN)
         admin_realm_admin_emails = {u.email for u in admin_realm.get_admin_users()}
         # We allow settings.CROSS_REALM_BOT_EMAILS for the hardcoded emails for the feedback and notification bots
         if not (normalized_emails & admin_realm_admin_emails or normalized_emails & settings.CROSS_REALM_BOT_EMAILS):
diff --git a/zerver/lib/test_helpers.py b/zerver/lib/test_helpers.py
index cf746bcfe1..b18b17df61 100644
--- a/zerver/lib/test_helpers.py
+++ b/zerver/lib/test_helpers.py
@@ -8,10 +8,12 @@ from zerver.worker import queue_processors
 
 from zerver.lib.actions import (
     check_send_message, create_stream_if_needed, do_add_subscription,
-    get_display_recipient, get_user_profile_by_email,
+    get_display_recipient,
 )
 
 from zerver.models import (
+    get_realm,
+    get_user_profile_by_email,
     resolve_email_to_domain,
     Client,
     Message,
@@ -271,7 +273,7 @@ class AuthedTestCase(TestCase):
         return data['messages']
 
     def users_subscribed_to_stream(self, stream_name, realm_domain):
-        realm = Realm.objects.get(domain=realm_domain)
+        realm = get_realm(realm_domain)
         stream = Stream.objects.get(name=stream_name, realm=realm)
         recipient = Recipient.objects.get(type_id=stream.id, type=Recipient.STREAM)
         subscriptions = Subscription.objects.filter(recipient=recipient, active=True)
@@ -321,7 +323,7 @@ class AuthedTestCase(TestCase):
 
     # Subscribe to a stream directly
     def subscribe_to_stream(self, email, stream_name, realm=None):
-        realm = Realm.objects.get(domain=resolve_email_to_domain(email))
+        realm = get_realm(resolve_email_to_domain(email))
         stream, _ = create_stream_if_needed(realm, stream_name)
         user_profile = get_user_profile_by_email(email)
         do_add_subscription(user_profile, stream, no_log=True)
diff --git a/zerver/management/commands/add_users_to_streams.py b/zerver/management/commands/add_users_to_streams.py
index 39cb745da7..b197aa4b30 100644
--- a/zerver/management/commands/add_users_to_streams.py
+++ b/zerver/management/commands/add_users_to_streams.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from optparse import make_option
 from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand
 
 from zerver.lib.actions import create_stream_if_needed, do_add_subscription
-from zerver.models import Realm, UserProfile, get_user_profile_by_email
+from zerver.models import UserProfile, get_realm, get_user_profile_by_email
 
 class Command(BaseCommand):
     help = """Add some or all users in a realm to a set of streams."""
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
             exit(1)
 
         stream_names = set([stream.strip() for stream in options["streams"].split(",")])
-        realm = Realm.objects.get(domain=options["domain"])
+        realm = get_realm(options["domain"])
 
         if options["all_users"]:
             user_profiles = UserProfile.objects.filter(realm=realm)
diff --git a/zerver/management/commands/create_user.py b/zerver/management/commands/create_user.py
index b0bbdf30ba..2dda3a6b6d 100644
--- a/zerver/management/commands/create_user.py
+++ b/zerver/management/commands/create_user.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ from django.core.exceptions import ValidationError
 from django.db.utils import IntegrityError
 from django.core import validators
 
-from zerver.models import Realm, email_to_username
+from zerver.models import Realm, get_realm, email_to_username
 from zerver.lib.actions import do_create_user
 from zerver.views import notify_new_user
 from zerver.lib.initial_password import initial_password
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ Terms of Service by passing --this-user-has-accepted-the-tos.""")
             raise CommandError("""Please specify a realm by passing --domain.""")
 
         try:
-            realm = Realm.objects.get(domain=options["domain"])
+            realm = get_realm(options["domain"])
         except Realm.DoesNotExist:
             raise CommandError("Realm does not exist.")
 
diff --git a/zerver/management/commands/dump_messages.py b/zerver/management/commands/dump_messages.py
index f08163ab8a..4866ad2a7b 100644
--- a/zerver/management/commands/dump_messages.py
+++ b/zerver/management/commands/dump_messages.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ from __future__ import absolute_import
 
 from optparse import make_option
 from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand
-from zerver.models import Message, Realm, Stream, Recipient
+from zerver.models import get_realm, Message, Realm, Stream, Recipient
 
 import datetime
 import time
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
         )
 
     def handle(self, *args, **options):
-        realm = Realm.objects.get(domain=options["domain"])
+        realm = get_realm(options["domain"])
         streams = Stream.objects.filter(realm=realm, invite_only=False)
         recipients = Recipient.objects.filter(
             type=Recipient.STREAM, type_id__in=[stream.id for stream in streams])
diff --git a/zerver/management/commands/logout_all_users.py b/zerver/management/commands/logout_all_users.py
index f0161a7c94..5e699ba194 100755
--- a/zerver/management/commands/logout_all_users.py
+++ b/zerver/management/commands/logout_all_users.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand
 
 from zerver.lib.actions import delete_all_user_sessions, \
     delete_realm_user_sessions
-from zerver.models import Realm
+from zerver.models import get_realm
 
 class Command(BaseCommand):
     help = "Log out all users."
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
 
     def handle(self, *args, **options):
         if options["realm"]:
-            realm = Realm.objects.get(domain=options["realm"])
+            realm = get_realm(options["realm"])
             delete_realm_user_sessions(realm)
         else:
             delete_all_user_sessions()
diff --git a/zerver/management/commands/realm_alias.py b/zerver/management/commands/realm_alias.py
index 691a08f57a..c4ee34347a 100644
--- a/zerver/management/commands/realm_alias.py
+++ b/zerver/management/commands/realm_alias.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
                             help="alias to add or remove")
 
     def handle(self, *args, **options):
-        realm = Realm.objects.get(domain=options["domain"])
+        realm = get_realm(options["domain"])
         if options["op"] == "show":
             print "Aliases for %s:" % (realm.domain,)
             for alias in realm_aliases(realm):
diff --git a/zerver/management/commands/realm_emoji.py b/zerver/management/commands/realm_emoji.py
index 69dd3161ba..b50f82348b 100644
--- a/zerver/management/commands/realm_emoji.py
+++ b/zerver/management/commands/realm_emoji.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 from __future__ import absolute_import
 
 from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand
-from zerver.models import Realm
+from zerver.models import Realm, get_realm
 from zerver.lib.actions import do_add_realm_emoji, do_remove_realm_emoji
 import sys
 
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ Example: python manage.py realm_emoji --realm=zulip.com --op=show
                             help="URL of image to display for the emoji")
 
     def handle(self, *args, **options):
-        realm = Realm.objects.get(domain=options["domain"])
+        realm = get_realm(options["domain"])
         if options["op"] == "show":
             for name, url in realm.get_emoji().iteritems():
                 print name, url
diff --git a/zerver/management/commands/realm_filters.py b/zerver/management/commands/realm_filters.py
index 228d4a7cb8..9971cf8596 100644
--- a/zerver/management/commands/realm_filters.py
+++ b/zerver/management/commands/realm_filters.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ from __future__ import absolute_import
 from optparse import make_option
 
 from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand
-from zerver.models import RealmFilter, all_realm_filters, Realm
+from zerver.models import RealmFilter, all_realm_filters, get_realm
 from zerver.lib.actions import do_add_realm_filter, do_remove_realm_filter
 import sys
 
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ Example: python manage.py realm_filters --realm=zulip.com --op=show
                             help="format string to substitute")
 
     def handle(self, *args, **options):
-        realm = Realm.objects.get(domain=options["domain"])
+        realm = get_realm(options["domain"])
         if options["op"] == "show":
             print "%s: %s" % (realm.domain, all_realm_filters().get(realm.domain, ""))
             sys.exit(0)
diff --git a/zerver/management/commands/remove_users_from_stream.py b/zerver/management/commands/remove_users_from_stream.py
index e8c88004cc..abe0d08dc2 100644
--- a/zerver/management/commands/remove_users_from_stream.py
+++ b/zerver/management/commands/remove_users_from_stream.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from optparse import make_option
 from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand
 
 from zerver.lib.actions import do_remove_subscription
-from zerver.models import Realm, UserProfile, get_stream, \
+from zerver.models import Realm, UserProfile, get_realm, get_stream, \
     get_user_profile_by_email
 
 class Command(BaseCommand):
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
             self.print_help("python manage.py", "remove_users_from_stream")
             exit(1)
 
-        realm = Realm.objects.get(domain=options["domain"])
+        realm = get_realm(options["domain"])
         stream_name = options["stream"].strip()
         stream = get_stream(stream_name, realm)
 
diff --git a/zerver/management/commands/set_default_streams.py b/zerver/management/commands/set_default_streams.py
index 0405cf448a..9287028033 100644
--- a/zerver/management/commands/set_default_streams.py
+++ b/zerver/management/commands/set_default_streams.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ from __future__ import absolute_import
 
 from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand
 
-from zerver.models import Realm
+from zerver.models import get_realm
 from zerver.lib.actions import set_default_streams
 
 from optparse import make_option
@@ -41,5 +41,5 @@ set of streams (which can be empty, with `--streams=`)."
             exit(1)
 
         stream_names = [stream.strip() for stream in options["streams"].split(",")]
-        realm = Realm.objects.get(domain=options["domain"])
+        realm = get_realm(options["domain"])
         set_default_streams(realm, stream_names)
diff --git a/zerver/management/commands/show_admins.py b/zerver/management/commands/show_admins.py
index 3030cbb561..21a5b87e3e 100644
--- a/zerver/management/commands/show_admins.py
+++ b/zerver/management/commands/show_admins.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 from __future__ import absolute_import
 
 from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand
-from zerver.models import Realm
+from zerver.models import get_realm, Realm
 import sys
 
 class Command(BaseCommand):
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
         realm = options['realm']
 
         try:
-            realm = Realm.objects.get(domain=realm)
+            realm = get_realm(realm)
         except Realm.DoesNotExist:
             print 'There is no realm called %s.' % (realm,)
             sys.exit(1)
diff --git a/zerver/management/commands/turn_off_digests.py b/zerver/management/commands/turn_off_digests.py
index 6837f976f7..604b36d92e 100644
--- a/zerver/management/commands/turn_off_digests.py
+++ b/zerver/management/commands/turn_off_digests.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from optparse import make_option
 from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand
 
 from zerver.lib.actions import do_change_enable_digest_emails
-from zerver.models import Realm, UserProfile, get_user_profile_by_email
+from zerver.models import Realm, UserProfile, get_realm, get_user_profile_by_email
 
 class Command(BaseCommand):
     help = """Turn off digests for a domain or specified set of email addresses."""
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
             exit(1)
 
         if options["domain"]:
-            realm = Realm.objects.get(domain=options["domain"])
+            realm = get_realm(options["domain"])
             user_profiles = UserProfile.objects.filter(realm=realm)
         else:
             emails = set([email.strip() for email in options["users"].split(",")])
diff --git a/zerver/test_messages.py b/zerver/test_messages.py
index a32d25d3e9..cc2b643dc7 100644
--- a/zerver/test_messages.py
+++ b/zerver/test_messages.py
@@ -488,7 +488,7 @@ class StreamMessagesTest(AuthedTestCase):
 
         # Subscribe everyone to a stream with non-ASCII characters.
         non_ascii_stream_name = u"hümbüǵ"
-        realm = Realm.objects.get(domain="zulip.com")
+        realm = get_realm("zulip.com")
         stream, _ = create_stream_if_needed(realm, non_ascii_stream_name)
         for user_profile in UserProfile.objects.filter(realm=realm):
             do_add_subscription(user_profile, stream, no_log=True)
@@ -499,7 +499,7 @@ class StreamMessagesTest(AuthedTestCase):
 class MessageDictTest(AuthedTestCase):
     @slow(1.6, 'builds lots of messages')
     def test_bulk_message_fetching(self):
-        realm = Realm.objects.get(domain="zulip.com")
+        realm = get_realm("zulip.com")
         sender = get_user_profile_by_email('othello@zulip.com')
         receiver = get_user_profile_by_email('hamlet@zulip.com')
         pm_recipient = Recipient.objects.get(type_id=receiver.id, type=Recipient.PERSONAL)
@@ -838,7 +838,7 @@ class GetOldMessagesTest(AuthedTestCase):
         # We need to susbcribe to a stream and then send a message to
         # it to ensure that we actually have a stream message in this
         # narrow view.
-        realm = Realm.objects.get(domain="zulip.com")
+        realm = get_realm("zulip.com")
         stream, _ = create_stream_if_needed(realm, "Scotland")
         do_add_subscription(get_user_profile_by_email("hamlet@zulip.com"),
                             stream, no_log=True)
@@ -866,7 +866,7 @@ class GetOldMessagesTest(AuthedTestCase):
         # We need to susbcribe to a stream and then send a message to
         # it to ensure that we actually have a stream message in this
         # narrow view.
-        realm = Realm.objects.get(domain="mit.edu")
+        realm = get_realm("mit.edu")
         lambda_stream, _ = create_stream_if_needed(realm, u"\u03bb-stream")
         do_add_subscription(get_user_profile_by_email("starnine@mit.edu"),
                             lambda_stream, no_log=True)
@@ -901,7 +901,7 @@ class GetOldMessagesTest(AuthedTestCase):
         # We need to susbcribe to a stream and then send a message to
         # it to ensure that we actually have a stream message in this
         # narrow view.
-        realm = Realm.objects.get(domain="mit.edu")
+        realm = get_realm("mit.edu")
         stream, _ = create_stream_if_needed(realm, "Scotland")
         do_add_subscription(get_user_profile_by_email("starnine@mit.edu"),
                             stream, no_log=True)
@@ -1439,7 +1439,7 @@ class CheckMessageTest(AuthedTestCase):
         sender = get_user_profile_by_email('othello@zulip.com')
         client, _ = Client.objects.get_or_create(name="test suite")
         stream_name = 'integration'
-        stream, _ = create_stream_if_needed(Realm.objects.get(domain="zulip.com"), stream_name)
+        stream, _ = create_stream_if_needed(get_realm("zulip.com"), stream_name)
         message_type_name = 'stream'
         message_to = None
         message_to = [stream_name]
@@ -1468,7 +1468,7 @@ class CheckMessageTest(AuthedTestCase):
         sender = bot
         client, _ = Client.objects.get_or_create(name="test suite")
         stream_name = 'integration'
-        stream, _ = create_stream_if_needed(Realm.objects.get(domain="zulip.com"), stream_name)
+        stream, _ = create_stream_if_needed(get_realm("zulip.com"), stream_name)
         message_type_name = 'stream'
         message_to = None
         message_to = [stream_name]
diff --git a/zerver/test_signup.py b/zerver/test_signup.py
index 5dc1070f55..78a9c85488 100644
--- a/zerver/test_signup.py
+++ b/zerver/test_signup.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from django.test import TestCase
 from zilencer.models import Deployment
 
 from zerver.models import (
-    get_user_profile_by_email,
+    get_realm, get_user_profile_by_email,
     PreregistrationUser, Realm, ScheduledJob, UserProfile,
 )
 
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ class LoginTest(AuthedTestCase):
         self.assertIn("Please enter a correct email and password", result.content)
 
     def test_register(self):
-        realm = Realm.objects.get(domain="zulip.com")
+        realm = get_realm("zulip.com")
         streams = ["stream_%s" % i for i in xrange(40)]
         for stream in streams:
             create_stream_if_needed(realm, stream)
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ class LoginTest(AuthedTestCase):
         If you try to register for a deactivated realm, you get a clear error
         page.
         """
-        realm = Realm.objects.get(domain="zulip.com")
+        realm = get_realm("zulip.com")
         realm.deactivated = True
         realm.save(update_fields=["deactivated"])
 
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ class LoginTest(AuthedTestCase):
         """
         If you try to log in to a deactivated realm, you get a clear error page.
         """
-        realm = Realm.objects.get(domain="zulip.com")
+        realm = get_realm("zulip.com")
         realm.deactivated = True
         realm.save(update_fields=["deactivated"])
 
@@ -386,7 +386,7 @@ so we didn't send them an invitation. We did send invitations to everyone else!"
         In a realm with `restricted_to_domain = True`, you can't invite people
         with a different domain from that of the realm or your e-mail address.
         """
-        zulip_realm = Realm.objects.get(domain="zulip.com")
+        zulip_realm = get_realm("zulip.com")
         zulip_realm.restricted_to_domain = True
         zulip_realm.save()
 
@@ -403,7 +403,7 @@ so we didn't send them an invitation. We did send invitations to everyone else!"
         In a realm with `restricted_to_domain = False`, you can invite people
         with a different domain from that of the realm or your e-mail address.
         """
-        zulip_realm = Realm.objects.get(domain="zulip.com")
+        zulip_realm = get_realm("zulip.com")
         zulip_realm.restricted_to_domain = False
         zulip_realm.save()
 
@@ -421,7 +421,7 @@ so we didn't send them an invitation. We did send invitations to everyone else!"
         invitee = "alice-test@zulip.com"
 
         stream_name = u"hümbüǵ"
-        realm = Realm.objects.get(domain="zulip.com")
+        realm = get_realm("zulip.com")
         stream, _ = create_stream_if_needed(realm, stream_name)
 
         # Make sure we're subscribed before inviting someone.
diff --git a/zerver/test_subs.py b/zerver/test_subs.py
index 9324198a03..64a5c8e6df 100644
--- a/zerver/test_subs.py
+++ b/zerver/test_subs.py
@@ -417,7 +417,7 @@ class DefaultStreamTest(AuthedTestCase):
         return set(stream_names)
 
     def test_set_default_streams(self):
-        realm = Realm.objects.get(domain="zulip.com")
+        realm = get_realm("zulip.com")
         stream_names = ['apple', 'banana', 'Carrot Cake']
         expected_names = stream_names + ['zulip']
         set_default_streams(realm, stream_names)
@@ -425,7 +425,7 @@ class DefaultStreamTest(AuthedTestCase):
         self.assertEqual(stream_names, set(expected_names))
 
     def test_add_and_remove_default_stream(self):
-        realm = Realm.objects.get(domain="zulip.com")
+        realm = get_realm("zulip.com")
         orig_stream_names = self.get_default_stream_names(realm)
         do_add_default_stream(realm, 'Added Stream')
         new_stream_names = self.get_default_stream_names(realm)
@@ -882,7 +882,7 @@ class SubscriptionAPITest(AuthedTestCase):
     def test_multi_user_subscription(self):
         email1 = 'cordelia@zulip.com'
         email2 = 'iago@zulip.com'
-        realm = Realm.objects.get(domain="zulip.com")
+        realm = get_realm("zulip.com")
         streams_to_sub = ['multi_user_stream']
         events = []
         with tornado_redirected_to_list(events):
@@ -960,7 +960,7 @@ class SubscriptionAPITest(AuthedTestCase):
 
 
     def test_bulk_subscribe_MIT(self):
-        realm = Realm.objects.get(domain="mit.edu")
+        realm = get_realm("mit.edu")
         streams = ["stream_%s" % i for i in xrange(40)]
         for stream in streams:
             create_stream_if_needed(realm, stream)
@@ -979,7 +979,7 @@ class SubscriptionAPITest(AuthedTestCase):
 
     def test_bulk_subscribe_many(self):
         # Create a whole bunch of streams
-        realm = Realm.objects.get(domain="zulip.com")
+        realm = get_realm("zulip.com")
         streams = ["stream_%s" % i for i in xrange(20)]
         for stream in streams:
             create_stream_if_needed(realm, stream)
@@ -1400,7 +1400,7 @@ class GetSubscribersTest(AuthedTestCase):
         """
         gather_subscriptions returns correct results with only 3 queries
         """
-        realm = Realm.objects.get(domain="zulip.com")
+        realm = get_realm("zulip.com")
         streams = ["stream_%s" % i for i in xrange(10)]
         for stream in streams:
             create_stream_if_needed(realm, stream)
diff --git a/zerver/tests.py b/zerver/tests.py
index 17f9d34730..a0cfbc1663 100644
--- a/zerver/tests.py
+++ b/zerver/tests.py
@@ -83,14 +83,14 @@ class RealmTest(AuthedTestCase):
         # cache, and we start by populating the cache for Hamlet, and we end
         # by checking the cache to ensure that the new value is there.
         get_user_profile_by_email('hamlet@zulip.com')
-        realm = Realm.objects.get(domain='zulip.com')
+        realm = get_realm('zulip.com')
         new_name = 'Zed You Elle Eye Pea'
         do_set_realm_name(realm, new_name)
         self.assertEqual(get_realm(realm.domain).name, new_name)
         self.assert_user_profile_cache_gets_new_name('hamlet@zulip.com', new_name)
 
     def test_do_set_realm_name_events(self):
-        realm = Realm.objects.get(domain='zulip.com')
+        realm = get_realm('zulip.com')
         new_name = 'Puliz'
         events = []
         with tornado_redirected_to_list(events):
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ class RealmTest(AuthedTestCase):
         # by checking the cache to ensure that his realm appears to be deactivated.
         # You can make this test fail by disabling cache.flush_realm().
         get_user_profile_by_email('hamlet@zulip.com')
-        realm = Realm.objects.get(domain='zulip.com')
+        realm = get_realm('zulip.com')
         do_deactivate_realm(realm)
         user = get_user_profile_by_email('hamlet@zulip.com')
         self.assertTrue(user.realm.deactivated)
diff --git a/zilencer/management/commands/populate_db.py b/zilencer/management/commands/populate_db.py
index c5553a4b60..1000ad58ad 100644
--- a/zilencer/management/commands/populate_db.py
+++ b/zilencer/management/commands/populate_db.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ from zerver.lib.bulk_create import bulk_create_realms, \
     bulk_create_clients
 from zerver.lib.timestamp import timestamp_to_datetime
 from zerver.models import MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH
-from zerver.models import DefaultStream, get_stream
+from zerver.models import DefaultStream, get_stream, get_realm
 from zilencer.models import Deployment
 
 import ujson
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
                     subscriptions_to_add.append(s)
             Subscription.objects.bulk_create(subscriptions_to_add)
         else:
-            zulip_realm = Realm.objects.get(domain="zulip.com")
+            zulip_realm = get_realm("zulip.com")
             recipient_streams = [klass.type_id for klass in
                                  Recipient.objects.filter(type=Recipient.STREAM)]
 
@@ -577,7 +577,7 @@ def restore_saved_messages():
             user_profile.save(update_fields=["enable_offline_push_notifications"])
             continue
         elif message_type == "default_streams":
-            set_default_streams(Realm.objects.get(domain=old_message["domain"]),
+            set_default_streams(get_realm(old_message["domain"]),
                                 old_message["streams"])
             continue
         elif message_type == "subscription_property":