diff --git a/awx/main/tasks.py b/awx/main/tasks.py
index dc58c14622..10a9489d0f 100644
--- a/awx/main/tasks.py
+++ b/awx/main/tasks.py
@@ -655,6 +655,7 @@ def awx_receptor_workunit_reaper():
     receptor_ctl = get_receptor_ctl()
     receptor_work_list = receptor_ctl.simple_command("work list")
 
+    # Release work units for inactive jobs
     unit_ids = [id for id in receptor_work_list]
     jobs_with_unreleased_receptor_units = UnifiedJob.objects.filter(work_unit_id__in=unit_ids).exclude(status__in=ACTIVE_STATES)
     for job in jobs_with_unreleased_receptor_units:
@@ -666,6 +667,7 @@ def awx_receptor_workunit_reaper():
             if 'unknown work unit' not in str(exc):
                 logger.exception(f'Unexpected error releasing work unit {job.work_unit_id}')
 
+    # Cancel jobs missing active work units
     active_unit_ids = [id for (id, data) in receptor_work_list.items() if data.get('StateName') in RECEPTOR_ACTIVE_STATES]
     active_unit_ids.append('')  # exclude jobs that have not yet started a receptor work unit
 
diff --git a/awx/main/tests/unit/test_tasks.py b/awx/main/tests/unit/test_tasks.py
index 15aeb86504..b17e3b3a00 100644
--- a/awx/main/tests/unit/test_tasks.py
+++ b/awx/main/tests/unit/test_tasks.py
@@ -1990,3 +1990,51 @@ def test_project_update_no_ee():
         task.build_env(job, {})
 
     assert 'The project could not sync because there is no Execution Environment' in str(e.value)
+
+
+@mock.patch('awx.main.tasks.administrative_workunit_reaper')
+@mock.patch('awx.main.tasks.UnifiedJob.objects.filter')
+@mock.patch('awx.main.tasks.get_receptor_ctl')
+def test_awx_receptor_workunit_reaper_cancels_work_units_missing_active_jobs(
+    mock_get_receptor_ctl, mock_uj_objects, mock_administrative_workunit_reaper, mocker
+):
+    mock_receptor_ctl = mocker.MagicMock()
+    mock_receptor_ctl.simple_command.return_value = {
+        '4PiSBdGz': {'Detail': 'Running: PID: 134', 'ExtraData': None, 'State': 1, 'StateName': 'Running', 'StdoutSize': 106, 'WorkType': 'ansible-runner'}
+    }
+    mock_get_receptor_ctl.return_value = mock_receptor_ctl
+
+    filtered_objects = mocker.MagicMock()
+    mock_uj_objects.return_value = filtered_objects
+
+    mock_finished_job = mocker.MagicMock(spec=UnifiedJob)
+    filtered_objects.exclude.side_effect = [[mock_finished_job], []]
+
+    tasks.awx_receptor_workunit_reaper()
+    assert mock_receptor_ctl.simple_command.called_with('work cancel 4PiSBdGz')
+    assert mock_receptor_ctl.simple_command.called_with('work release 4PiSBdGz')
+
+    assert mock_administrative_workunit_reaper.called
+
+
+@mock.patch('awx.main.tasks.administrative_workunit_reaper')
+@mock.patch('awx.main.tasks.UnifiedJob.objects.filter')
+@mock.patch('awx.main.tasks.get_receptor_ctl')
+def test_awx_receptor_workunit_reaper_reaps_jobs_missing_work_units(mock_get_receptor_ctl, mock_uj_objects, mock_administrative_workunit_reaper, mocker):
+    mock_receptor_ctl = mocker.MagicMock()
+    mock_receptor_ctl.simple_command.return_value = {}
+    mock_get_receptor_ctl.return_value = mock_receptor_ctl
+
+    filtered_objects = mocker.MagicMock()
+    mock_uj_objects.return_value = filtered_objects
+
+    mock_job = mocker.MagicMock(spec=UnifiedJob)
+    filtered_objects.exclude.side_effect = [[], [mock_job]]
+
+    tasks.awx_receptor_workunit_reaper()
+    assert mock_job.cancel_flag == True
+    assert mock_job.status == 'error'
+    assert mock_job.job_explanation == 'Canceled by reaper because receptor work unit could not be found for this job'
+    assert mock_job.save.called_once_with(update_fields=['cancel_flag', 'status', 'job_explanation'])
+
+    assert mock_administrative_workunit_reaper.called