diff --git a/.github/copilot-instructions.md b/.github/copilot-instructions.md
index c2b781776..0a46d908d 100644
--- a/.github/copilot-instructions.md
+++ b/.github/copilot-instructions.md
@@ -66,6 +66,9 @@ branches.
   PR's `changelogs/unreleased/<source_pr>-<user>` file. The workflow
   automatically renames it to `<backport_pr>-<user>` on the backport branch so
   `hack/changelog-check.sh` passes and release notes cite the correct PR.
+- **Changelog-not-required:** if the source PR is labeled
+  `kind/changelog-not-required`, that label is copied to the backport PR so
+  it isn't flagged as missing a changelog.
 - Only repository **owners, members, and collaborators** may trigger these commands.
 
 ## General coding guidelines
diff --git a/.github/workflows/backport.yml b/.github/workflows/backport.yml
index 6bf64c853..83fac8cd8 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/backport.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/backport.yml
@@ -27,6 +27,10 @@ name: Backport merged pull request
 # file is automatically renamed to <backport_pr>-<user> so that
 # hack/changelog-check.sh passes and release notes cite the correct PR.
 #
+# If the source PR is labeled `kind/changelog-not-required` (i.e. it has no
+# changelog file), that label is copied to the backport PR so it isn't
+# flagged as missing a changelog either.
+#
 # See: https://github.com/velero-io/velero/issues/9603
 
 on:
@@ -178,6 +182,9 @@ jobs:
         with:
           # Labels like `backport release-1.17` select the target branch.
           label_pattern: '^backport ([^ ]+)$'
+          # Carry over `kind/changelog-not-required` from the source PR so
+          # backport PRs of changelog-exempt changes aren't flagged as missing one.
+          copy_labels_pattern: '^kind/changelog-not-required$'
           # Prefer draft PRs with conflict markers over failing the job silently.
           experimental: |
             {