Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, computer program product, and a computer system for suspending a database index. A computer determines if an update to a database includes an update to an index of the database. If so, the computer suspending the index of the database, wherein the suspending the index of the database comprises: the computer deleting the index of the database; the computer retaining a definition for the index of the database, wherein the definition includes a command for rebuilding the index of the database; and the computer indicating in a system catalog of the database that a status of suspension has been applied to the index.