diff --git a/django/db/backends/base/base.py b/django/db/backends/base/base.py
index 9c35ca7e47..c50cf5266a 100644
--- a/django/db/backends/base/base.py
+++ b/django/db/backends/base/base.py
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ class BaseDatabaseWrapper(object):
     def _cursor(self, name=None):
         self.ensure_connection()
         with self.wrap_database_errors:
-            return self.create_cursor(name)
+            return self._prepare_cursor(self.create_cursor(name))
 
     def _commit(self):
         if self.connection is not None:
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ class BaseDatabaseWrapper(object):
         """
         Creates a cursor, opening a connection if necessary.
         """
-        return self._prepare_cursor(self._cursor())
+        return self._cursor()
 
     def commit(self):
         """
diff --git a/django/db/backends/postgresql/base.py b/django/db/backends/postgresql/base.py
index 91dee6a722..c40a67b2e1 100644
--- a/django/db/backends/postgresql/base.py
+++ b/django/db/backends/postgresql/base.py
@@ -223,14 +223,13 @@ class DatabaseWrapper(BaseDatabaseWrapper):
 
     def chunked_cursor(self):
         self._named_cursor_idx += 1
-        db_cursor = self._cursor(
+        return self._cursor(
             name='_django_curs_%d_%d' % (
                 # Avoid reusing name in other threads
                 threading.current_thread().ident,
                 self._named_cursor_idx,
             )
         )
-        return self._prepare_cursor(db_cursor)
 
     def _set_autocommit(self, autocommit):
         with self.wrap_database_errors: