diff --git a/src/freedombone-backup-local b/src/freedombone-backup-local
index 7710425e..be242ab8 100755
--- a/src/freedombone-backup-local
+++ b/src/freedombone-backup-local
@@ -356,11 +356,15 @@ function backup_users {
 
 			# Backup email
 			if [ -d /home/$USERNAME/Maildir ]; then
+				echo $"Stopping mail server"
+				systemctl stop exim4
 				echo $"Creating an email archive for $USERNAME"
 				if [ ! -d /root/tempbackupemail/$USERNAME ]; then
 					mkdir -p /root/tempbackupemail/$USERNAME
 				fi
 				tar -czvf /root/tempbackupemail/$USERNAME/maildir.tar.gz /home/$USERNAME/Maildir
+				echo $"Restarting mail server"
+				systemctl start exim4
 				echo $"Backing up emails for $USERNAME"
 				backup_directory_to_usb /root/tempbackupemail/$USERNAME mail/$USERNAME
 			fi
diff --git a/src/freedombone-backup-remote b/src/freedombone-backup-remote
index 1b62d300..58759dca 100755
--- a/src/freedombone-backup-remote
+++ b/src/freedombone-backup-remote
@@ -283,11 +283,15 @@ function backup_users {
 
 			# email
 			if [ -d /home/$USERNAME/Maildir ]; then
+				echo $"Stopping mail server"
+				systemctl stop exim4
 				echo $"Creating an email archive"
 				if [ ! -d /root/backupemail/$USERNAME ]; then
 					mkdir -p /root/backupemail/$USERNAME
 				fi
 				tar -czvf /root/backupemail/$USERNAME/maildir.tar.gz /home/$USERNAME/Maildir
+				echo $"Restarting mail server"
+				systemctl start exim4
 				echo $"Backing up emails for $USERNAME"
 				backup_directory_to_friend /root/backupemail/$USERNAME mail/$USERNAME
 			fi