diff --git a/migrations/versions/0012_add_status_to_job.py b/migrations/versions/0012_add_status_to_job.py
index a3337d784..e5ca0a3f1 100644
--- a/migrations/versions/0012_add_status_to_job.py
+++ b/migrations/versions/0012_add_status_to_job.py
@@ -18,7 +18,12 @@ def upgrade():
     ### commands auto generated by Alembic - please adjust! ###
     job_status_types = sa.Enum('pending', 'in progress', 'finished', name='job_status_types')
     job_status_types.create(op.get_bind())
-    op.add_column('jobs', sa.Column('status', job_status_types, nullable=False, default='pending'))
+    op.add_column('jobs', sa.Column('status', job_status_types, nullable=True))
+    op.get_bind()
+    op.execute("update jobs set status='pending'")
+    op.alter_column('jobs', 'status', nullable=False)
+
+
     ### end Alembic commands ###