diff --git a/app/models/pglogical_subscription.rb b/app/models/pglogical_subscription.rb
index eae8dd90007..9fdd74234eb 100644
--- a/app/models/pglogical_subscription.rb
+++ b/app/models/pglogical_subscription.rb
@@ -108,10 +108,16 @@ def validate(new_connection_params = {})
   end
 
   def backlog
-    connection.xlog_location_diff(remote_node_lsn, remote_replication_lsn)
-  rescue PG::Error => e
-    _log.error(e.message)
-    nil
+    if status != "replicating"
+      _log.error("Is `#{dbname}` running on host `#{host}` and accepting TCP/IP connections on port #{port} ?")
+      return nil
+    end
+    begin
+      connection.xlog_location_diff(remote_node_lsn, remote_replication_lsn)
+    rescue PG::Error => e
+      _log.error(e.message)
+      nil
+    end
   end
 
   # translate the output from the pglogical stored proc to our object columns
diff --git a/spec/models/pglogical_subscription_spec.rb b/spec/models/pglogical_subscription_spec.rb
index d8a47b3da6b..b9e5ba59467 100644
--- a/spec/models/pglogical_subscription_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/pglogical_subscription_spec.rb
@@ -496,5 +496,12 @@
 
       expect(described_class.first.backlog).to be nil
     end
+
+    it 'does not attempt to calculate backlog and returns nil unless subscription status is "replicating"' do
+      allow(described_class).to receive(:status).and_return("down")
+
+      expect(remote_connection).not_to receive(:xlog_location)
+      expect(described_class.first.backlog).to be nil
+    end
   end
 end