diff --git a/backup/util/helper/backup_cron_helper.class.php b/backup/util/helper/backup_cron_helper.class.php
index 5dfdc70c766..d1f649cd751 100644
--- a/backup/util/helper/backup_cron_helper.class.php
+++ b/backup/util/helper/backup_cron_helper.class.php
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ abstract class backup_cron_automated_helper {
      * First backup courses that do not have an entry in backup_courses first,
      * as they are likely new and never been backed up. Do the oldest modified courses first.
      * Then backup courses that have previously been backed up starting with the oldest next start time.
+     * Finally, all else being equal, defer to the sortorder of the courses.
      *
      * @param null|int $now timestamp to use in course selection.
      * @return moodle_recordset The recordset of matching courses.
@@ -93,7 +94,8 @@ 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 DESC';
+                       c.timemodified DESC,
+                       c.sortorder';
 
         $params = array(
             $now,  // Only get courses where the backup start time is in the past.
diff --git a/backup/util/helper/tests/cronhelper_test.php b/backup/util/helper/tests/cronhelper_test.php
index 22833e74533..23ed6687dd4 100644
--- a/backup/util/helper/tests/cronhelper_test.php
+++ b/backup/util/helper/tests/cronhelper_test.php
@@ -393,7 +393,7 @@ class cronhelper_test extends \advanced_testcase {
         $backupcourse3 = new \stdClass;
         $backupcourse3->courseid = $course3->id;
         $backupcourse3->laststatus = testable_backup_cron_automated_helper::BACKUP_STATUS_OK;
-        $backupcourse3->nextstarttime = 1554858160;
+        $backupcourse3->nextstarttime = 1554822160;
         $DB->insert_record('backup_courses', $backupcourse3);
 
         $backupcourse4 = new \stdClass;