diff --git a/Jenkinsfile b/Jenkinsfile
index 93bfc2ad..3f0f4204 100644
--- a/Jenkinsfile
+++ b/Jenkinsfile
@@ -15,7 +15,9 @@ pipeline {
                     if(env.BRANCH_NAME == "main") {
                        tag = "latest"
                     } else if (env.BRANCH_NAME == "2.6.9") {
-                       handleError("skipping docker image build of 2.6.9, not released yet.")        
+                       // skip it for now
+                       currentBuild.setResult("SKIPPED")
+                       sh 'exit 1'       
                     } else {
                        tag = env.BRANCH_NAME
                     }