diff --git a/pipeline/backend/kubernetes/kubernetes.go b/pipeline/backend/kubernetes/kubernetes.go
index 3567100a6..3019bba7a 100644
--- a/pipeline/backend/kubernetes/kubernetes.go
+++ b/pipeline/backend/kubernetes/kubernetes.go
@@ -316,6 +316,9 @@ func (e *kube) TailStep(ctx context.Context, step *types.Step, taskUUID string)
 		}
 
 		if pod.Name == podName {
+			if isImagePullBackOffState(pod) {
+				up <- true
+			}
 			switch pod.Status.Phase {
 			case v1.PodRunning, v1.PodSucceeded, v1.PodFailed:
 				up <- true