diff --git a/catalog/dags/flickr_thumbs_removal.py b/catalog/dags/flickr_thumbs_removal.py
index ab4921738dc..fabfc712d88 100644
--- a/catalog/dags/flickr_thumbs_removal.py
+++ b/catalog/dags/flickr_thumbs_removal.py
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ def delete(num_thumbs):
             query = dedent(
                 f"""
                 UPDATE image SET thumbnail = NULL WHERE identifier IN
-                (SELECT identifier {select_conditions} FETCH FIRST 10000 ROWS ONLY)
+                (SELECT identifier {select_conditions} FETCH FIRST 10000 ROWS ONLY FOR UPDATE SKIP LOCKED)
                 """
             )
             pg.run(query)