diff --git a/CHANGES b/CHANGES
index da3f5f248..4dc0f70eb 100644
--- a/CHANGES
+++ b/CHANGES
@@ -2723,4 +2723,4 @@
 [7.6.3]
 * postgres: do not clear search_path for restore
 * route53: retry on rate limit errors
-
+* update: continue with app update if box update does not start
diff --git a/src/cron.js b/src/cron.js
index e45a27bbd..b78ac700c 100644
--- a/src/cron.js
+++ b/src/cron.js
@@ -219,8 +219,9 @@ async function handleAutoupdatePatternChanged(pattern) {
             if (updateInfo.box && !updateInfo.box.unstable) {
                 debug('Starting box autoupdate to %j', updateInfo.box);
                 const [error] = await safe(updater.updateToLatest({ skipBackup: false }, AuditSource.CRON));
-                if (error) debug(`Failed to box autoupdate: ${error.message}`);
-                return;
+                if (!error) return; // do not start app updates when a box update got scheduled
+                debug(`Failed to start box autoupdate task: ${error.message}`);
+                // fall through to update apps if box update never started (failed ubuntu or avx check)
             }
 
             const appUpdateInfo = _.omit(updateInfo, 'box');