3 files changed, 31 insertions, 2 deletions
diff --git a/lib/sqlalchemy/engine/base.py b/lib/sqlalchemy/engine/base.py
index fbd8fe7df..b11ffd871 100644
--- a/lib/sqlalchemy/engine/base.py
+++ b/lib/sqlalchemy/engine/base.py
@@ -2022,6 +2022,13 @@ class Transaction(TransactionalContext):
     def _transaction_is_closed(self):
         return not self._deactivated_from_connection
 
+    def _rollback_can_be_called(self):
+        # for RootTransaction / NestedTransaction, it's safe to call
+        # rollback() even if the transaction is deactive and no warnings
+        # will be emitted.  tested in
+        # test_transaction.py -> test_no_rollback_in_deactive(?:_savepoint)?
+        return True
+
 
 class RootTransaction(Transaction):
     """Represent the "root" transaction on a :class:`_engine.Connection`.
diff --git a/lib/sqlalchemy/engine/util.py b/lib/sqlalchemy/engine/util.py
index 732ae7fa1..e88b9ebf3 100644
--- a/lib/sqlalchemy/engine/util.py
+++ b/lib/sqlalchemy/engine/util.py
@@ -98,6 +98,23 @@ class TransactionalContext:
     def _transaction_is_closed(self):
         raise NotImplementedError()
 
+    def _rollback_can_be_called(self):
+        """indicates the object is in a state that is known to be acceptable
+        for rollback() to be called.
+
+        This does not necessarily mean rollback() will succeed or not raise
+        an error, just that there is currently no state detected that indicates
+        rollback() would fail or emit warnings.
+
+        It also does not mean that there's a transaction in progress, as
+        it is usually safe to call rollback() even if no transaction is
+        present.
+
+        .. versionadded:: 1.4.28
+
+        """
+        raise NotImplementedError()
+
     def _get_subject(self):
         raise NotImplementedError()
 
@@ -143,7 +160,8 @@ class TransactionalContext:
                 self.commit()
             except:
                 with util.safe_reraise():
-                    self.rollback()
+                    if self._rollback_can_be_called():
+                        self.rollback()
             finally:
                 if not out_of_band_exit:
                     subject._trans_context_manager = self._outer_trans_ctx
@@ -154,7 +172,8 @@ class TransactionalContext:
                     if not self._transaction_is_closed():
                         self.close()
                 else:
-                    self.rollback()
+                    if self._rollback_can_be_called():
+                        self.rollback()
             finally:
                 if not out_of_band_exit:
                     subject._trans_context_manager = self._outer_trans_ctx
diff --git a/lib/sqlalchemy/orm/session.py b/lib/sqlalchemy/orm/session.py
index 8212a111d..b6fc99baf 100644
--- a/lib/sqlalchemy/orm/session.py
+++ b/lib/sqlalchemy/orm/session.py
@@ -940,6 +940,9 @@ class SessionTransaction(TransactionalContext):
     def _transaction_is_closed(self):
         return self._state is CLOSED
 
+    def _rollback_can_be_called(self):
+        return self._state not in (COMMITTED, CLOSED)
+
 
 class Session(_SessionClassMethods):
     """Manages persistence operations for ORM-mapped objects.