diff --git a/misc/build.func b/misc/build.func
index af4f0f948..8ee1903cd 100644
--- a/misc/build.func
+++ b/misc/build.func
@@ -3671,6 +3671,9 @@ $PCT_OPTIONS_STRING"
 
   create_lxc_container || exit $?
 
+  # Transition to 'configuring' — container created, now setting up OS/userland
+  post_progress_to_api "configuring"
+
   LXC_CONFIG="/etc/pve/lxc/${CTID}.conf"
 
   # ============================================================================
@@ -4038,9 +4041,6 @@ EOF'
 
   msg_ok "Customized LXC Container"
 
-  # Transition to 'configuring' — container install script is about to run
-  post_progress_to_api "configuring"
-
   # Optional DNS override for retry scenarios (inside LXC, never on host)
   if [[ "${DNS_RETRY_OVERRIDE:-false}" == "true" ]]; then
     msg_info "Applying DNS retry override in LXC (8.8.8.8, 1.1.1.1)"