diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/__init__.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/__init__.py
index c167c25422..6949472011 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/__init__.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/__init__.py
@@ -272,12 +272,20 @@ class BulkOperationsMixin(object):
 
         dirty = self._end_outermost_bulk_operation(bulk_ops_record, structure_key)
 
-        self._clear_bulk_ops_record(structure_key)
+        # The bulk op has ended. However, the signal tasks below still need to use the
+        # built-up bulk op information (if the signals trigger tasks in the same thread).
+        # So re-nest until the signals are sent.
+        bulk_ops_record.nest()
 
         if emit_signals and dirty:
             self.send_bulk_published_signal(bulk_ops_record, structure_key)
             self.send_bulk_library_updated_signal(bulk_ops_record, structure_key)
 
+        # Signals are sent. Now unnest and clear the bulk op for good.
+        bulk_ops_record.unnest()
+
+        self._clear_bulk_ops_record(structure_key)
+
     def _is_in_bulk_operation(self, course_key, ignore_case=False):
         """
         Return whether a bulk operation is active on `course_key`.
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_mixed_modulestore.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_mixed_modulestore.py
index b41bf268d6..dfafc920e1 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_mixed_modulestore.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/test_mixed_modulestore.py
@@ -2015,8 +2015,11 @@ class TestMixedModuleStore(CommonMixedModuleStoreSetup):
                     course_key = course.id
 
                     def _clear_bulk_ops_record(course_key):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
-                        """ Check if the signal has been fired. """
-                        self.assertEqual(receiver.call_count, 0)
+                        """
+                        Check if the signal has been fired.
+                        The course_published signal fires before the _clear_bulk_ops_record.
+                        """
+                        self.assertEqual(receiver.call_count, 1)
 
                     with patch.object(
                         self.store.thread_cache.default_store, '_clear_bulk_ops_record', wraps=_clear_bulk_ops_record
diff --git a/openedx/core/djangoapps/content/course_structures/tasks.py b/openedx/core/djangoapps/content/course_structures/tasks.py
index f621cbe25f..5ed989be33 100644
--- a/openedx/core/djangoapps/content/course_structures/tasks.py
+++ b/openedx/core/djangoapps/content/course_structures/tasks.py
@@ -13,38 +13,40 @@ def _generate_course_structure(course_key):
     """
     Generates a course structure dictionary for the specified course.
     """
-    course = modulestore().get_course(course_key, depth=None)
-    blocks_stack = [course]
-    blocks_dict = {}
-    while blocks_stack:
-        curr_block = blocks_stack.pop()
-        children = curr_block.get_children() if curr_block.has_children else []
-        key = unicode(curr_block.scope_ids.usage_id)
-        block = {
-            "usage_key": key,
-            "block_type": curr_block.category,
-            "display_name": curr_block.display_name,
-            "children": [unicode(child.scope_ids.usage_id) for child in children]
+    with modulestore().bulk_operations(course_key):
+        course = modulestore().get_course(course_key, depth=None)
+        blocks_stack = [course]
+        blocks_dict = {}
+        while blocks_stack:
+            curr_block = blocks_stack.pop()
+            children = curr_block.get_children() if curr_block.has_children else []
+            key = unicode(curr_block.scope_ids.usage_id)
+            block = {
+                "usage_key": key,
+                "block_type": curr_block.category,
+                "display_name": curr_block.display_name,
+                "children": [unicode(child.scope_ids.usage_id) for child in children]
+            }
+
+            # Retrieve these attributes separately so that we can fail gracefully
+            # if the block doesn't have the attribute.
+            attrs = (('graded', False), ('format', None))
+            for attr, default in attrs:
+                if hasattr(curr_block, attr):
+                    block[attr] = getattr(curr_block, attr, default)
+                else:
+                    log.warning('Failed to retrieve %s attribute of block %s. Defaulting to %s.', attr, key, default)
+                    block[attr] = default
+
+            blocks_dict[key] = block
+
+            # Add this blocks children to the stack so that we can traverse them as well.
+            blocks_stack.extend(children)
+        return {
+            "root": unicode(course.scope_ids.usage_id),
+            "blocks": blocks_dict
         }
 
-        # Retrieve these attributes separately so that we can fail gracefully if the block doesn't have the attribute.
-        attrs = (('graded', False), ('format', None))
-        for attr, default in attrs:
-            if hasattr(curr_block, attr):
-                block[attr] = getattr(curr_block, attr, default)
-            else:
-                log.warning('Failed to retrieve %s attribute of block %s. Defaulting to %s.', attr, key, default)
-                block[attr] = default
-
-        blocks_dict[key] = block
-
-        # Add this blocks children to the stack so that we can traverse them as well.
-        blocks_stack.extend(children)
-    return {
-        "root": unicode(course.scope_ids.usage_id),
-        "blocks": blocks_dict
-    }
-
 
 @task(name=u'openedx.core.djangoapps.content.course_structures.tasks.update_course_structure')
 def update_course_structure(course_key):