diff --git a/.github/actions/update_tfstate/action.yml b/.github/actions/update_tfstate/action.yml
index e135d1cb651..5582ea9e564 100644
--- a/.github/actions/update_tfstate/action.yml
+++ b/.github/actions/update_tfstate/action.yml
@@ -11,12 +11,15 @@ inputs:
   encryptionSecret:
     description: "The encryption secret for the artifacts."
     required: true
+  skipDeletion:
+    description: "Don't try to delete the artifact before updating. You should only use this if you know that no artifact exists."
+    default: false
 
 runs:
   using: "composite"
   steps:
     - name: Check if tfstate should be deleted
-      if: always()
+      if: always() && !${{ inputs.skipDeletion }}
       shell: bash
       run: |
         if [ ! -d constellation-terraform ] && [ ! -d constellation-iam-terraform ]; then
@@ -26,7 +29,7 @@ runs:
         fi
 
     - name: Delete tfstate artifact if necessary
-      if: always() && env.DELETE_TF_STATE == 'true'
+      if: always() && env.DELETE_TF_STATE == 'true' && !${{ inputs.skipDeletion }}
       uses: ./.github/actions/artifact_delete
       with:
         name: ${{ inputs.name }}