diff --git a/atdb/taskdatabase/models.py b/atdb/taskdatabase/models.py
index 899515245061a6c9bb022398217b5ef326a056f3..d0a038c096720680d205f12b13f0bcd0f0786dd1 100644
--- a/atdb/taskdatabase/models.py
+++ b/atdb/taskdatabase/models.py
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ class Task(models.Model):
         try:
             return self.predecessor.status
         except:
-            return "unknown"
+            return "no_predecessor"
 
 class LogEntry(models.Model):
     cpu_cycles = models.IntegerField(null=True,blank=True)