diff --git a/backend/src/models/task_attempt.rs b/backend/src/models/task_attempt.rs
index 26d3b506..132b71f5 100644
--- a/backend/src/models/task_attempt.rs
+++ b/backend/src/models/task_attempt.rs
@@ -470,6 +470,9 @@ impl TaskAttempt {
             .await?
             .ok_or(TaskAttemptError::ProjectNotFound)?;
 
+        // Update task status to InProgress at the start of execution (during setup)
+        Task::update_status(pool, task_id, project_id, TaskStatus::InProgress).await?;
+
         // Step 1: Run setup script if it exists
         if let Some(setup_script) = &project.setup_script {
             if !setup_script.trim().is_empty() {
@@ -596,9 +599,6 @@ impl TaskAttempt {
             );
         }
 
-        // Update task status to InProgress
-        Task::update_status(pool, task_id, project_id, TaskStatus::InProgress).await?;
-
         tracing::info!(
             "Started execution {} for task attempt {}",
             execution_id,