diff --git a/zuul/executor/client.py b/zuul/executor/client.py
index ec0a21bd1d..bc05babd95 100644
--- a/zuul/executor/client.py
+++ b/zuul/executor/client.py
@@ -488,11 +488,9 @@ class ExecutorClient(object):
             build.worker.updateFromData(data)
             build.__gearman_worker = build.worker.name
 
-            if 'paused' in data and build.paused != data['paused']:
-                build.paused = data['paused']
-                if build.paused:
-                    result_data = data.get('data', {})
-                    self.sched.onBuildPaused(build, result_data)
+            if 'paused' in data:
+                result_data = data.get('data', {})
+                self.sched.onBuildPaused(build, result_data)
 
             if not started:
                 self.log.info("Build %s started" % job)
diff --git a/zuul/scheduler.py b/zuul/scheduler.py
index 383f77cc6e..36788fe94c 100644
--- a/zuul/scheduler.py
+++ b/zuul/scheduler.py
@@ -1445,6 +1445,11 @@ class Scheduler(threading.Thread):
 
     def _doBuildPausedEvent(self, event):
         build = event.build
+
+        # Setting paused is deferred to event processing stage to avoid a race
+        # with child job skipping.
+        build.paused = True
+
         log = get_annotated_logger(self.log, build.zuul_event_id)
         if build.build_set is not build.build_set.item.current_build_set:
             log.warning("Build %s is not in the current build set", build)