diff --git a/dpdispatcher/submission.py b/dpdispatcher/submission.py
index aa345ae0..0dee637b 100644
--- a/dpdispatcher/submission.py
+++ b/dpdispatcher/submission.py
@@ -853,7 +853,7 @@ def handle_unexpected_job_state(self):
             )
             retry_count = 3
             assert self.machine is not None
-            if hasattr(self.machine, "retry_count") and self.machine.retry_count > 0:
+            if hasattr(self.machine, "retry_count") and self.machine.retry_count >= 0:
                 retry_count = self.machine.retry_count + 1
             if (self.fail_count) > 0 and (self.fail_count % retry_count == 0):
                 last_error_message = self.get_last_error_message()