diff --git a/backup/util/helper/backup_cron_helper.class.php b/backup/util/helper/backup_cron_helper.class.php
index 33917bd561d..980baf4457c 100644
--- a/backup/util/helper/backup_cron_helper.class.php
+++ b/backup/util/helper/backup_cron_helper.class.php
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ abstract class backup_cron_automated_helper {
              LEFT JOIN {backup_courses} bc ON bc.courseid = c.id
                  WHERE bc.nextstarttime IS NULL OR bc.nextstarttime < ?
               ORDER BY nextstarttime ASC,
-                       c.timemodified ASC';
+                       c.timemodified DESC';
 
         $params = array(
             $now,  // Only get courses where the backup start time is in the past.