diff --git a/src/backend/commands/vacuum.c b/src/backend/commands/vacuum.c
index f14d798fa4..304cc325d3 100644
--- a/src/backend/commands/vacuum.c
+++ b/src/backend/commands/vacuum.c
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
  *
  *
  * IDENTIFICATION
- *	  $PostgreSQL: pgsql/src/backend/commands/vacuum.c,v 1.342.2.2 2007/03/14 18:49:04 tgl Exp $
+ *	  $PostgreSQL: pgsql/src/backend/commands/vacuum.c,v 1.342.2.3 2007/06/14 13:54:28 alvherre Exp $
  *
  *-------------------------------------------------------------------------
  */
@@ -338,14 +338,17 @@ vacuum(VacuumStmt *vacstmt, List *relids)
 	 * For ANALYZE (no VACUUM): if inside a transaction block, we cannot
 	 * start/commit our own transactions.  Also, there's no need to do so if
 	 * only processing one relation.  For multiple relations when not within a
-	 * transaction block, use own transactions so we can release locks sooner.
+	 * transaction block, and also in an autovacuum worker, use own
+	 * transactions so we can release locks sooner.
 	 */
 	if (vacstmt->vacuum)
 		use_own_xacts = true;
 	else
 	{
 		Assert(vacstmt->analyze);
-		if (in_outer_xact)
+		if (IsAutoVacuumProcess())
+			use_own_xacts = true;
+		else if (in_outer_xact)
 			use_own_xacts = false;
 		else if (list_length(relations) > 1)
 			use_own_xacts = true;