diff --git a/awx/main/utils/redis.py b/awx/main/utils/redis.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..34f0aed6c11d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/awx/main/utils/redis.py
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+import sys
+import time
+
+from django.conf import settings
+
+import redis
+
+
+def ping_redis():
+    redis.Redis.from_url(settings.BROKER_URL).ping()
+
+
+def exit_if_redis_down(logger):
+    try:
+        ping_redis()
+    except redis.ConnectionError as exc:
+        logger.info(f'Redis ping error: {exc}')
+        time.sleep(1)  # Patience to avoid log spam
+        sys.exit(1)