diff --git a/.github/workflows/staleness.yml b/.github/workflows/staleness.yml
index 1bc49a50761..334aad7d0a0 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/staleness.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/staleness.yml
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ jobs:
           stale-issue-label: stale
           stale-pr-label: stale
           remove-stale-when-updated: true
-          exempt-issue-labels: "good first issue, V2 Wishlist"
+          exempt-issue-labels: "good first issue,V2 Wishlist,backlog"
           exempt-all-assignees: true
           ignore-updates: false
           stale-issue-message: "This issue has not had any activity for 60 days and will be automatically closed in two weeks"