diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index 4b78898..e9edbfb 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -530,8 +530,8 @@ func updateDeadJobs(jobs []broker.Job) error {
 				logtr.Debugf("failed to remove db: %v: %v", listEntry, err)
 			}
 			for _, imageid := range recorded.MatrixImageIDs {
-				if err := message.NewMatrix().Remove(imageid); err != nil {
-					logtr.Debugf("failed to remove matrix image: %v: %v", imageid, err)
+				if err := message.NewMatrix().Update(imageid, "<job no longer available>"); err != nil {
+					logtr.Debugf("failed to update matrix image: %v: %v", imageid, err)
 				}
 			}
 		}