diff --git a/bookwyrm/models/import_job.py b/bookwyrm/models/import_job.py
index d8cfad314..6aef7c1a7 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/models/import_job.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/models/import_job.py
@@ -74,8 +74,7 @@ class ImportJob(models.Model):
         task = start_import_task.delay(self.id)
         self.task_id = task.id
 
-        self.status = "active"
-        self.save(update_fields=["status", "task_id"])
+        self.save(update_fields=["task_id"])
 
     def complete_job(self):
         """Report that the job has completed"""
@@ -332,6 +331,8 @@ class ImportItem(models.Model):
 def start_import_task(job_id):
     """trigger the child tasks for each row"""
     job = ImportJob.objects.get(id=job_id)
+    job.status = "active"
+    job.save(update_fields=["status"])
     # don't start the job if it was stopped from the UI
     if job.complete:
         return
diff --git a/bookwyrm/templates/import/import_status.html b/bookwyrm/templates/import/import_status.html
index 757ed49a9..02bd1fdf0 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/templates/import/import_status.html
+++ b/bookwyrm/templates/import/import_status.html
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
         </dl>
     </div>
 
-    {% if not job.complete and show_progress %}
+    {% if job.status == "active" and show_progress %}
     <div class="box is-processing">
         <div class="block">
             <span class="icon icon-spinner is-pulled-left" aria-hidden="true"></span>