diff --git a/src/calibre/db/backup.py b/src/calibre/db/backup.py
index f0f2b07a54..9dfda156d4 100644
--- a/src/calibre/db/backup.py
+++ b/src/calibre/db/backup.py
@@ -93,6 +93,7 @@ class MetadataBackup(Thread):
         except:
             prints('Failed to convert to opf for id:', book_id)
             traceback.print_exc()
+            self.db.clear_dirtied(book_id, sequence)
             return
 
         self.wait(self.scheduling_interval)