diff --git a/server/events/vcs/gitlab_client.go b/server/events/vcs/gitlab_client.go
index 623ba8cd5..d202141fd 100644
--- a/server/events/vcs/gitlab_client.go
+++ b/server/events/vcs/gitlab_client.go
@@ -232,10 +232,10 @@ func (g *GitlabClient) PullIsMergeable(repo models.Repo, pull models.PullRequest
 
 // UpdateStatus updates the build status of a commit.
 func (g *GitlabClient) UpdateStatus(repo models.Repo, pull models.PullRequest, state models.CommitStatus, src string, description string, url string) error {
-	gitlabState := gitlab.Failed
+	gitlabState := gitlab.Pending
 	switch state {
 	case models.PendingCommitStatus:
-		gitlabState = gitlab.Pending
+		gitlabState = gitlab.Running
 	case models.FailedCommitStatus:
 		gitlabState = gitlab.Failed
 	case models.SuccessCommitStatus: