diff --git a/awx/sso/views.py b/awx/sso/views.py
index ddbc2cbd59..1f2dcad0b9 100644
--- a/awx/sso/views.py
+++ b/awx/sso/views.py
@@ -58,12 +58,12 @@ class MetadataView(View):
     def get(self, request, *args, **kwargs):
         from social_django.utils import load_backend, load_strategy
         complete_url = reverse('social:complete', args=('saml', ))
-        saml_backend = load_backend(
-            load_strategy(request),
-            'saml',
-            redirect_uri=complete_url,
-        )
         try:
+            saml_backend = load_backend(
+                load_strategy(request),
+                'saml',
+                redirect_uri=complete_url,
+            )
             metadata, errors = saml_backend.generate_metadata_xml()
         except Exception as e:
             logger.exception('unable to generate SAML metadata')