diff --git a/internal/controller/promotion/pullrequest.go b/internal/controller/promotion/pullrequest.go
index 8e6ddcca4..89716cc0f 100644
--- a/internal/controller/promotion/pullrequest.go
+++ b/internal/controller/promotion/pullrequest.go
@@ -163,7 +163,9 @@ func reconcilePullRequest(
 		if err != nil {
 			return "", err
 		}
-		if !pr.IsOpen() {
+		if pr.IsOpen() {
+			promo.Status.Phase = kargoapi.PromotionPhaseRunning
+		} else {
 			merged, err := gpClient.IsPullRequestMerged(ctx, prNumber)
 			if err != nil {
 				return "", err