diff --git a/controllers/backup_controller.go b/controllers/backup_controller.go
index 1bc26499..45685a88 100644
--- a/controllers/backup_controller.go
+++ b/controllers/backup_controller.go
@@ -85,7 +85,13 @@ func (r *BackupReconciler) Reconcile(ctx context.Context, req ctrl.Request) (ctr
 
 	jobSyncer := backupSyncer.NewJobSyncer(r.Client, r.Scheme, backup)
 	if err := syncer.Sync(ctx, jobSyncer, r.Recorder); err != nil {
-		return reconcile.Result{}, err
+		backup.UpdateStatusCondition(apiv1alpha1.BackupFailed, corev1.ConditionTrue, "CreateFailure", err.Error())
+		backup.Status.Completed = true
+		if err2 := r.updateBackup(savedBackup, backup); err2 != nil {
+			return reconcile.Result{}, err2
+		}
+		// Do not try again.
+		return reconcile.Result{}, nil
 	}
 
 	if err = r.updateBackup(savedBackup, backup); err != nil {