diff --git a/lib/backupds/log.go b/lib/backupds/log.go
index 99b7b7c95ec..7d2e13ef21c 100644
--- a/lib/backupds/log.go
+++ b/lib/backupds/log.go
@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@ func (d *Datastore) startLog(logdir string) error {
 				if err := l.Close(); err != nil {
 					log.Errorw("failed to close log", "error", err)
 				}
+				return
 			}
 		}
 	}()