diff --git a/lib/private/Encryption/Util.php b/lib/private/Encryption/Util.php
index ed91c0fe549c0..4eefe4a4022d4 100644
--- a/lib/private/Encryption/Util.php
+++ b/lib/private/Encryption/Util.php
@@ -97,6 +97,7 @@ public function __construct(
 
 		$this->excludedPaths[] = 'files_encryption';
 		$this->excludedPaths[] = 'appdata_' . $config->getSystemValue('instanceid', null);
+		$this->excludedPaths[] = 'files_external';
 	}
 
 	/**