diff --git a/priam/src/main/java/com/netflix/priam/backupv2/SnapshotMetaTask.java b/priam/src/main/java/com/netflix/priam/backupv2/SnapshotMetaTask.java
index bc05c1874..10afa1cec 100644
--- a/priam/src/main/java/com/netflix/priam/backupv2/SnapshotMetaTask.java
+++ b/priam/src/main/java/com/netflix/priam/backupv2/SnapshotMetaTask.java
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ public void execute() throws Exception {
         // as this happens on CRON.
         if (!lock.tryLock()) {
             logger.warn("SnapshotMetaService is already running! Try again later.");
-            throw new Exception("SnapshotMetaService already running");
+            throw new IllegalStateException("SnapshotMetaService already running");
         }
 
         // Save start snapshot status
diff --git a/priam/src/main/java/com/netflix/priam/resources/BackupServletV2.java b/priam/src/main/java/com/netflix/priam/resources/BackupServletV2.java
index 9ac66639e..5813b7599 100644
--- a/priam/src/main/java/com/netflix/priam/resources/BackupServletV2.java
+++ b/priam/src/main/java/com/netflix/priam/resources/BackupServletV2.java
@@ -83,7 +83,14 @@ public BackupServletV2(
     @GET
     @Path("/do_snapshot")
     public Response backup() throws Exception {
-        snapshotMetaService.execute();
+        try {
+            snapshotMetaService.execute();
+        } catch (Exception e) {
+            if (e instanceof IllegalStateException) {
+                return Response.status(409).build();
+            }
+            return Response.serverError().build();
+        }
         return Response.ok(REST_SUCCESS, MediaType.APPLICATION_JSON).build();
     }