diff --git a/system/athena/registration.py b/system/athena/registration.py
index e57c0ea67d..95d78e36ba 100755
--- a/system/athena/registration.py
+++ b/system/athena/registration.py
@@ -86,6 +86,9 @@ def register(show_spinner=False) -> str | None:
         cloudlog.exception("failed to authenticate")
         backoff = min(backoff + 1, 15)
         time.sleep(backoff)
+        if backoff >= 5:
+          dongle_id = UNREGISTERED_DONGLE_ID
+          break
 
       if time.monotonic() - start_time > 60 and show_spinner:
         spinner.update(f"registering device - serial: {serial}, IMEI: ({imei1}, {imei2})")