diff --git a/core/includes/bootstrap.inc b/core/includes/bootstrap.inc
index 086f025..9028880 100644
--- a/core/includes/bootstrap.inc
+++ b/core/includes/bootstrap.inc
@@ -138,24 +138,19 @@
 const DRUPAL_BOOTSTRAP_PAGE_CACHE = 2;
 
 /**
- * Fourth bootstrap phase: initialize database layer.
+ * Fourth bootstrap phase: initialize the variable system.
  */
-const DRUPAL_BOOTSTRAP_DATABASE = 3;
+const DRUPAL_BOOTSTRAP_VARIABLES = 3;
 
 /**
- * Fifth bootstrap phase: initialize the variable system.
+ * Fifth bootstrap phase: load code for subsystems and modules.
  */
-const DRUPAL_BOOTSTRAP_VARIABLES = 4;
-
-/**
- * Sixth bootstrap phase: load code for subsystems and modules.
- */
-const DRUPAL_BOOTSTRAP_CODE = 5;
+const DRUPAL_BOOTSTRAP_CODE = 4;
 
 /**
  * Final bootstrap phase: initialize language, path, theme, and modules.
  */
-const DRUPAL_BOOTSTRAP_FULL = 6;
+const DRUPAL_BOOTSTRAP_FULL = 5;
 
 /**
  * Role ID for anonymous users; should match what's in the "role" table.
@@ -1757,7 +1752,6 @@ function drupal_anonymous_user() {
  *   - DRUPAL_BOOTSTRAP_CONFIGURATION: Initializes configuration.
  *   - DRUPAL_BOOTSTRAP_KERNEL: Initalizes a kernel.
  *   - DRUPAL_BOOTSTRAP_PAGE_CACHE: Tries to serve a cached page.
- *   - DRUPAL_BOOTSTRAP_DATABASE: Initializes the database layer.
  *   - DRUPAL_BOOTSTRAP_VARIABLES: Initializes the variable system.
  *   - DRUPAL_BOOTSTRAP_CODE: Loads code for subsystems and modules.
  *   - DRUPAL_BOOTSTRAP_FULL: Fully loads Drupal. Validates and fixes input
@@ -1775,7 +1769,6 @@ function drupal_bootstrap($phase = NULL, $new_phase = TRUE) {
     DRUPAL_BOOTSTRAP_CONFIGURATION,
     DRUPAL_BOOTSTRAP_KERNEL,
     DRUPAL_BOOTSTRAP_PAGE_CACHE,
-    DRUPAL_BOOTSTRAP_DATABASE,
     DRUPAL_BOOTSTRAP_VARIABLES,
     DRUPAL_BOOTSTRAP_CODE,
     DRUPAL_BOOTSTRAP_FULL,
@@ -1818,10 +1811,6 @@ function drupal_bootstrap($phase = NULL, $new_phase = TRUE) {
           _drupal_bootstrap_page_cache();
           break;
 
-        case DRUPAL_BOOTSTRAP_DATABASE:
-          _drupal_bootstrap_database();
-          break;
-
         case DRUPAL_BOOTSTRAP_VARIABLES:
           _drupal_bootstrap_variables();
           break;
@@ -2024,6 +2013,7 @@ function _drupal_bootstrap_page_cache() {
   global $user;
 
   require_once __DIR__ . '/cache.inc';
+  require_once __DIR__ . '/database.inc';
   // Check for a cache mode force from settings.php.
   if (settings()->get('page_cache_without_database')) {
     $cache_enabled = TRUE;
@@ -2098,15 +2088,6 @@ function _drupal_initialize_db_test_prefix() {
 }
 
 /**
- * Initializes the database system by loading database.inc.
- */
-function _drupal_bootstrap_database() {
-  // Initialize the database system. Note that the connection
-  // won't be initialized until it is actually requested.
-  require_once __DIR__ . '/database.inc';
-}
-
-/**
  * Loads system variables and all enabled bootstrap modules.
  */
 function _drupal_bootstrap_variables() {
diff --git a/core/includes/theme.inc b/core/includes/theme.inc
index a83b7a5..75a7735 100644
--- a/core/includes/theme.inc
+++ b/core/includes/theme.inc
@@ -91,7 +91,6 @@ function drupal_theme_initialize() {
     return;
   }
 
-  drupal_bootstrap(DRUPAL_BOOTSTRAP_DATABASE);
   $themes = list_themes();
 
   // @todo Let the theme.negotiator listen to the kernel request event.
diff --git a/core/includes/update.inc b/core/includes/update.inc
index 7b8a6e2..ca5633a 100644
--- a/core/includes/update.inc
+++ b/core/includes/update.inc
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ function update_prepare_d8_bootstrap() {
   }
 
   // Bootstrap the database.
-  drupal_bootstrap(DRUPAL_BOOTSTRAP_DATABASE);
+  require_once __DIR__ . '/database.inc';
 
   // module.inc is not yet loaded but there are calls to module_config_sort()
   // below.