diff --git a/freqtrade/rpc/api_server/api_background_tasks.py b/freqtrade/rpc/api_server/api_background_tasks.py
index e5339756b..c13fa31e4 100644
--- a/freqtrade/rpc/api_server/api_background_tasks.py
+++ b/freqtrade/rpc/api_server/api_background_tasks.py
@@ -70,9 +70,9 @@ def __run_pairlist(job_id: str, config_loc: Config):
     except (OperationalException, Exception) as e:
         logger.exception(e)
         ApiBG.jobs[job_id]['error'] = str(e)
+        ApiBG.jobs[job_id]['status'] = 'failed'
     finally:
         ApiBG.jobs[job_id]['is_running'] = False
-        ApiBG.jobs[job_id]['status'] = 'failed'
         ApiBG.pairlist_running = False