diff --git a/awx/main/tasks/system.py b/awx/main/tasks/system.py
index bca9d16c055f..15c4aa5a620d 100644
--- a/awx/main/tasks/system.py
+++ b/awx/main/tasks/system.py
@@ -684,8 +684,18 @@ def awx_receptor_workunit_reaper():
     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:
         logger.debug(f"{job.log_format} is not active, reaping receptor work unit {job.work_unit_id}")
-        receptor_ctl.simple_command(f"work cancel {job.work_unit_id}")
-        receptor_ctl.simple_command(f"work release {job.work_unit_id}")
+        try:
+            receptor_ctl.simple_command(f"work cancel {job.work_unit_id}")
+            receptor_ctl.simple_command(f"work release {job.work_unit_id}")
+        except Exception as e:
+            # force release of work unit. Try/except is required becasue force-release
+            # try to release the job one time and thne delete it from worklist 
+            logger.error(f"Error on cancel or release {job.work_unit_id} with error {str(e)}.Try Force it...")
+            try:
+                receptor_ctl.simple_command(f"work force-release {job.work_unit_id}")
+                logger.debug(f"{job.log_format} is now released")
+            except Exception as e:
+                logger.error(f"Error on force-release {job.work_unit_id} with error {str(e)}. Skip It")
 
     administrative_workunit_reaper(receptor_work_list)