diff --git a/services/worker/src/workers/thumbnail.js b/services/worker/src/workers/thumbnail.js
index 8dabddc..7ed39c8 100644
--- a/services/worker/src/workers/thumbnail.js
+++ b/services/worker/src/workers/thumbnail.js
@@ -40,6 +40,18 @@ export const thumbnailWorker = async (job) => {
   const outputPath = join(tmpDir, `thumb-output-${job.id}.jpg`);
 
   try {
+    // Check asset status before doing any work
+    const assetRow = await query(
+      'SELECT status FROM assets WHERE id = $1',
+      [assetId]
+    );
+    const asset = assetRow.rows[0];
+
+    if (asset?.status === 'pending_migration') {
+      console.log(`[thumbnail] asset ${assetId} is pending_migration, skipping`);
+      return;
+    }
+
     // Download proxy from S3
     await job.updateProgress(10);
     console.log(`[thumbnail] Downloading ${proxyKey} for asset ${assetId}`);