diff --git a/workflow/controller/operator.go b/workflow/controller/operator.go
index 8d9fb25c2474..62f3b638a292 100644
--- a/workflow/controller/operator.go
+++ b/workflow/controller/operator.go
@@ -228,7 +228,11 @@ func (woc *wfOperationCtx) operate(ctx context.Context) {
 		woc.updated = wfUpdate
 		if !acquired {
 			woc.log.Warn("Workflow processing has been postponed due to concurrency limit")
-			woc.wf.Status.Message = msg
+			phase := woc.wf.Status.Phase
+			if phase == wfv1.WorkflowUnknown {
+				phase = wfv1.WorkflowPending
+			}
+			woc.markWorkflowPhase(ctx, phase, msg)
 			return
 		}
 	}