diff --git a/src/apptask.js b/src/apptask.js
index b86a106ee..d889aa7d2 100644
--- a/src/apptask.js
+++ b/src/apptask.js
@@ -639,8 +639,8 @@ function backup(app, args, progressCallback, callback) {
     ], function seriesDone(error) {
         if (error) {
             debugApp(app, 'error backing up app: %s', error);
-            // return to installed state intentionally
-            return updateApp(app, { installationState: apps.ISTATE_INSTALLED, error: error.toPlainObject ? error.toPlainObject() : error.message }, callback.bind(null, error));
+            // return to installed state intentionally. the error is stashed only in the task and not the app (the UI shows error state otherwise)
+            return updateApp(app, { installationState: apps.ISTATE_INSTALLED, error: null }, callback.bind(null, makeTaskError(error, app)));
         }
         callback(null);
     });