diff --git a/magnum_cluster_api/driver.py b/magnum_cluster_api/driver.py
index 89c99d90..13760969 100644
--- a/magnum_cluster_api/driver.py
+++ b/magnum_cluster_api/driver.py
@@ -430,6 +430,8 @@ def update_nodegroups_status(
             ):
                 continue
 
+            node_groups.append(node_group)
+
             md = objects.MachineDeployment.for_node_group_or_none(
                 self.k8s_api, cluster, node_group
             )
@@ -499,8 +501,6 @@ def update_nodegroups_status(
                 node_group.save()
                 continue
 
-            node_groups.append(node_group)
-
         return node_groups
 
     @cluster_lock_wrapper