diff --git a/src/internal/m365/collection/exchange/mail_backup.go b/src/internal/m365/collection/exchange/mail_backup.go
index 662615253..4b3004077 100644
--- a/src/internal/m365/collection/exchange/mail_backup.go
+++ b/src/internal/m365/collection/exchange/mail_backup.go
@@ -61,9 +61,13 @@ func (h mailBackupHandler) NewContainerCache(
 }
 
 func (h mailBackupHandler) CanSkipItemFailure(
-	error,
-	string, string,
-	control.Options,
+	err error,
+	resourceID string, itemID string,
+	opts control.Options,
 ) (fault.SkipCause, bool) {
-	return "", false
+	if err == nil {
+		return "", false
+	}
+
+	return fault.SkipKnownEventInstance503s, true
 }