diff --git a/repmgr.c b/repmgr.c
index cab0cfac..489e69ed 100644
--- a/repmgr.c
+++ b/repmgr.c
@@ -1066,8 +1066,10 @@ stop_backup:
 	}
 	last_wal_segment = PQgetvalue(res, 0, 0);
 
-	log_info(_("%s requires primary to keep WAL files %s until at least %s\n"),
-	         progname, first_wal_segment, last_wal_segment);
+	/* don't show this message if rsync failed */
+	if (r == 0)
+		log_info(_("%s requires primary to keep WAL files %s until at least %s\n"),
+		         progname, first_wal_segment, last_wal_segment);
 
 	/* Finished with the database connection now */
 	PQclear(res);