diff --git a/pkg/controller/backup_controller.go b/pkg/controller/backup_controller.go
index 9fcb14e99..7228719ea 100644
--- a/pkg/controller/backup_controller.go
+++ b/pkg/controller/backup_controller.go
@@ -252,8 +252,6 @@ func (b *backupReconciler) Reconcile(ctx context.Context, req ctrl.Request) (ctr
 	if err := kubeutil.PatchResource(original, request.Backup, b.kbClient); err != nil {
 		return ctrl.Result{}, errors.Wrapf(err, "error updating Backup status to %s", request.Status.Phase)
 	}
-	// store ref to just-updated item for creating patch
-	original = request.Backup.DeepCopy()
 
 	backupScheduleName := request.GetLabels()[velerov1api.ScheduleNameLabel]
 
@@ -265,6 +263,9 @@ func (b *backupReconciler) Reconcile(ctx context.Context, req ctrl.Request) (ctr
 		return ctrl.Result{}, nil
 	}
 
+	// store ref to just-updated item for creating patch
+	original = request.Backup.DeepCopy()
+
 	b.backupTracker.Add(request.Namespace, request.Name)
 	defer func() {
 		switch request.Status.Phase {