diff --git a/backup/moodle2/backup_stepslib.php b/backup/moodle2/backup_stepslib.php
index c1372cc4d90..8c84801b1f5 100644
--- a/backup/moodle2/backup_stepslib.php
+++ b/backup/moodle2/backup_stepslib.php
@@ -1021,6 +1021,8 @@ class backup_gradebook_structure_step extends backup_structure_step {
             'sortorder', 'display', 'decimals', 'hidden', 'locked', 'locktime',
             'needsupdate', 'timecreated', 'timemodified'));
 
+        $this->add_plugin_structure('local', $grade_item, true);
+
         $grade_grades = new backup_nested_element('grade_grades');
         $grade_grade = new backup_nested_element('grade_grade', array('id'), array(
             'userid', 'rawgrade', 'rawgrademax', 'rawgrademin',
diff --git a/backup/moodle2/restore_stepslib.php b/backup/moodle2/restore_stepslib.php
index baf3b044853..7e9e3252751 100644
--- a/backup/moodle2/restore_stepslib.php
+++ b/backup/moodle2/restore_stepslib.php
@@ -146,7 +146,11 @@ class restore_gradebook_structure_step extends restore_structure_step {
 
         $paths[] = new restore_path_element('attributes', '/gradebook/attributes');
         $paths[] = new restore_path_element('grade_category', '/gradebook/grade_categories/grade_category');
-        $paths[] = new restore_path_element('grade_item', '/gradebook/grade_items/grade_item');
+
+        $gradeitem = new restore_path_element('grade_item', '/gradebook/grade_items/grade_item');
+        $paths[] = $gradeitem;
+        $this->add_plugin_structure('local', $gradeitem);
+
         if ($userinfo) {
             $paths[] = new restore_path_element('grade_grade', '/gradebook/grade_items/grade_item/grade_grades/grade_grade');
         }
diff --git a/backup/upgrade.txt b/backup/upgrade.txt
index 88a9c885691..3d55558a042 100644
--- a/backup/upgrade.txt
+++ b/backup/upgrade.txt
@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
 This files describes API changes in /backup/*,
 information provided here is intended especially for developers.
 
+=== 4.0 ===
+ * Local plugins can now hook into a backup and restore process of grade items by
+   using define_grade_item_plugin_structure method (See MDL-69418).
+
 === 3.1 ===
 
 * New close() method added to loggers so they can close any open resource. Previously