diff --git a/app/fax_queue/resources/job/fax_send.php b/app/fax_queue/resources/job/fax_send.php
index 2c8bb538c2..6fb003cd36 100644
--- a/app/fax_queue/resources/job/fax_send.php
+++ b/app/fax_queue/resources/job/fax_send.php
@@ -366,6 +366,7 @@
 			}
 			else {
 				echo "fax file missing: ".$fax_file."\n";
+				$fax_status = 'failed';
 			}
 
 	}