diff --git a/src/rabbit_mnesia_rename.erl b/src/rabbit_mnesia_rename.erl
index 0945e3152234..0c3e7c236600 100644
--- a/src/rabbit_mnesia_rename.erl
+++ b/src/rabbit_mnesia_rename.erl
@@ -124,7 +124,13 @@ prepare(Node, NodeMapList) ->
 
 take_backup(Backup) ->
     start_mnesia(),
-    ok = mnesia:backup(Backup),
+    %% We backup only local tables: in particular, this excludes the
+    %% connection tracking tables which have no local replica.
+    LocalTables = mnesia:system_info(local_tables),
+    {ok, Name, _Nodes} = mnesia:activate_checkpoint([
+        {max, LocalTables}
+      ]),
+    ok = mnesia:backup_checkpoint(Name, Backup),
     stop_mnesia().
 
 restore_backup(Backup) ->