diff --git a/src/api2/backup/environment.rs b/src/api2/backup/environment.rs
index 34d08333..16f21324 100644
--- a/src/api2/backup/environment.rs
+++ b/src/api2/backup/environment.rs
@@ -430,8 +430,6 @@ impl BackupEnvironment {
 
         state.ensure_unfinished()?;
 
-        state.finished = true;
-
         if state.dynamic_writers.len() != 0 {
             bail!("found open index writer - unable to finish backup");
         }
@@ -440,6 +438,8 @@ impl BackupEnvironment {
             bail!("backup does not contain valid files (file count == 0)");
         }
 
+        state.finished = true;
+
         Ok(())
     }