diff --git a/artemis-server/src/main/java/org/apache/activemq/artemis/core/server/impl/SharedStoreBackupActivation.java b/artemis-server/src/main/java/org/apache/activemq/artemis/core/server/impl/SharedStoreBackupActivation.java
index 383f93fbdd..c978ff6e0f 100644
--- a/artemis-server/src/main/java/org/apache/activemq/artemis/core/server/impl/SharedStoreBackupActivation.java
+++ b/artemis-server/src/main/java/org/apache/activemq/artemis/core/server/impl/SharedStoreBackupActivation.java
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ public final class SharedStoreBackupActivation extends Activation {
 
             activeMQServer.getNodeManager().releaseBackup();
          }
-         if (sharedStoreSlavePolicy.isAllowAutoFailBack()) {
+         if (sharedStoreSlavePolicy.isAllowAutoFailBack() && ActiveMQServerImpl.SERVER_STATE.STOPPING != activeMQServer.getState() && ActiveMQServerImpl.SERVER_STATE.STOPPED != activeMQServer.getState()) {
             startFailbackChecker();
          }
       } catch (ClosedChannelException | InterruptedException e) {