diff --git a/reframe/frontend/executors/policies.py b/reframe/frontend/executors/policies.py
index 5dab71103f..827aa44003 100644
--- a/reframe/frontend/executors/policies.py
+++ b/reframe/frontend/executors/policies.py
@@ -440,7 +440,6 @@ def _failall(self, cause):
                 task.abort(cause)
 
         for task in itertools.chain(self._waiting_tasks,
-                                    self._retired_tasks,
                                     self._completed_tasks):
             task.abort(cause)