diff --git a/src/tape/media_pool.rs b/src/tape/media_pool.rs
index fc4410b0..be1db8be 100644
--- a/src/tape/media_pool.rs
+++ b/src/tape/media_pool.rs
@@ -126,6 +126,9 @@ impl MediaPool {
         self.encrypt_fingerprint.clone()
     }
 
+    pub fn set_media_status_damaged(&mut self, uuid: &Uuid) -> Result<(), Error> {
+        self.inventory.set_media_status_damaged(uuid)
+    }
 
     fn compute_media_state(&self, media_id: &MediaId) -> (MediaStatus, MediaLocation) {
 
diff --git a/src/tape/pool_writer.rs b/src/tape/pool_writer.rs
index 307ace5f..149c1913 100644
--- a/src/tape/pool_writer.rs
+++ b/src/tape/pool_writer.rs
@@ -225,6 +225,7 @@ impl PoolWriter {
             if !alert_flags.is_empty() {
                 worker.log(format!("TapeAlertFlags: {:?}", alert_flags));
                 if tape_alert_flags_critical(alert_flags) {
+                    self.pool.set_media_status_damaged(&media_uuid)?;
                     bail!("aborting due to critical tape alert flags: {:?}", alert_flags);
                 }
             }