diff --git a/scripts/start b/scripts/start
index 7c644f1..b8797f2 100755
--- a/scripts/start
+++ b/scripts/start
@@ -59,6 +59,10 @@ export COMPOSE_HTTP_TIMEOUT=240
 
 cd "$UMBREL_ROOT"
 
+echo "Removing stale statuses and lock files..."
+echo
+[[ -f "${UMBREL_ROOT}/statuses/backup-in-progress" ]] && rm -f "${UMBREL_ROOT}/statuses/backup-in-progress"
+
 echo "Starting karen..."
 echo
 ./karen &