diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/tasks_helper.py b/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/tasks_helper.py
index 1c3fcdf540..0d4d471b24 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/tasks_helper.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/tasks_helper.py
@@ -820,17 +820,16 @@ def upload_grades_csv(_xmodule_instance_args, _entry_id, course_id, _task_input,
             course_grade.letter_grade,
             student.id in whitelisted_user_ids
         )
-        if certificate_info[0] == 'Y':
-            TASK_LOG.info(u'Student is marked eligible_for_certificate in grade report (user=%s, course_id=%s,'
-                          u' user_is_whitelisted=%s, grade=%s, grade_percent=%s gradecutoffs=%s, allow_certificate=%s)',
-                          student,
-                          course_id,
-                          student.id in whitelisted_user_ids,
-                          course_grade.letter_grade,
-                          course_grade.percent,
-                          course_grade.course.grade_cutoffs,
-                          student.profile.allow_certificate
-                          )
+        if certificate_info[0] == 'Y' and course_grade.letter_grade is None and student.id not in whitelisted_user_ids:
+            TASK_LOG.info(
+                u'Student is marked eligible_for_certificate despite failing the course '
+                u'(user=%s, course_id=%s, grade_percent=%s gradecutoffs=%s, allow_certificate=%s)',
+                student,
+                course_id,
+                course_grade.percent,
+                course_grade.course.grade_cutoffs,
+                student.profile.allow_certificate
+            )
 
         grade_results = []
         for assignment_type, assignment_info in graded_assignments.iteritems():