diff --git a/src/pkg/backup/identity/identity.go b/src/pkg/backup/identity/identity.go
index de08107f3..2bdeea7ff 100644
--- a/src/pkg/backup/identity/identity.go
+++ b/src/pkg/backup/identity/identity.go
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ type Reasoner interface {
 	// SubtreePath returns the path prefix for data in existing backups that have
 	// parameters (tenant, protected resourced, etc) that match this Reasoner.
 	SubtreePath() (path.Path, error)
+	// ToMetadata returns the corresponding metadata reason for this reason.
+	ToMetadata() Reasoner
 }
 
 func NewReason(
@@ -67,3 +69,11 @@ func (r reason) SubtreePath() (path.Path, error) {
 
 	return p, clues.Wrap(err, "building path").OrNil()
 }
+
+func (r reason) ToMetadata() Reasoner {
+	return NewReason(
+		r.Tenant(),
+		r.ProtectedResource(),
+		r.Service().ToMetadata(),
+		r.Category())
+}