*** a/src/backend/postmaster/postmaster.c
--- b/src/backend/postmaster/postmaster.c
***************
*** 224,229 **** static int	Shutdown = NoShutdown;
--- 224,231 ----
  static bool FatalError = false; /* T if recovering from backend crash */
  static bool RecoveryError = false;		/* T if WAL recovery failed */
  
+ static bool NeedBackupLabel = false;	/* T if backup_label is still required */
+ 
  /*
   * We use a simple state machine to control startup, shutdown, and
   * crash recovery (which is rather like shutdown followed by startup).
***************
*** 267,272 **** static bool RecoveryError = false;		/* T if WAL recovery failed */
--- 269,278 ----
   * because we don't clear it until we've successfully started WAL redo.
   * Similarly, RecoveryError means that we have crashed during recovery, and
   * should not try to restart.
+  *
+  * If shutdown is requested in PM_STARTUP state, the postmaster sets the
+  * NeedBackupLabel to true and skips renaming the backup_label file since
+  * it's still required for subsequent recovery.
   */
  typedef enum
  {
***************
*** 2167,2174 **** pmdie(SIGNAL_ARGS)
  			ereport(LOG,
  					(errmsg("received smart shutdown request")));
  
  			if (pmState == PM_RUN || pmState == PM_RECOVERY ||
! 				pmState == PM_HOT_STANDBY)
  			{
  				/* autovacuum workers are told to shut down immediately */
  				SignalAutovacWorkers(SIGTERM);
--- 2173,2182 ----
  			ereport(LOG,
  					(errmsg("received smart shutdown request")));
  
+ 			if (pmState == PM_STARTUP)
+ 				NeedBackupLabel = true;
  			if (pmState == PM_RUN || pmState == PM_RECOVERY ||
! 				pmState == PM_HOT_STANDBY || pmState == PM_STARTUP)
  			{
  				/* autovacuum workers are told to shut down immediately */
  				SignalAutovacWorkers(SIGTERM);
***************
*** 2217,2222 **** pmdie(SIGNAL_ARGS)
--- 2225,2232 ----
  				signal_child(StartupPID, SIGTERM);
  			if (WalReceiverPID != 0)
  				signal_child(WalReceiverPID, SIGTERM);
+ 			if (pmState == PM_STARTUP)
+ 				NeedBackupLabel = true;
  			if (pmState == PM_RECOVERY)
  			{
  				/* only bgwriter is active in this state */
***************
*** 3030,3036 **** PostmasterStateMachine(void)
  			 * Terminate backup mode to avoid recovery after a clean fast
  			 * shutdown.
  			 */
! 			CancelBackup();
  
  			/* Normal exit from the postmaster is here */
  			ExitPostmaster(0);
--- 3040,3047 ----
  			 * Terminate backup mode to avoid recovery after a clean fast
  			 * shutdown.
  			 */
! 			if (!NeedBackupLabel)
! 				CancelBackup();
  
  			/* Normal exit from the postmaster is here */
  			ExitPostmaster(0);