diff --git a/certbot/main.py b/certbot/main.py
index ee178aa50..448ed21d5 100644
--- a/certbot/main.py
+++ b/certbot/main.py
@@ -696,6 +696,7 @@ def certonly(config, plugins):
 def renew(config, unused_plugins):
     """Renew previously-obtained certificates."""
     try:
+        config.renewing = "yes"
         renewal.handle_renewal_request(config)
     finally:
         hooks.run_saved_post_hooks()
diff --git a/certbot/renewal.py b/certbot/renewal.py
index 6eb171763..7b651a92a 100644
--- a/certbot/renewal.py
+++ b/certbot/renewal.py
@@ -393,6 +393,7 @@ def handle_renewal_request(config):
         # elements from within the renewal configuration file).
         try:
             renewal_candidate = _reconstitute(lineage_config, renewal_file)
+            renewal_candidate.renewing = "yes"
         except Exception as e:  # pylint: disable=broad-except
             logger.warning("Renewal configuration file %s produced an "
                            "unexpected error: %s. Skipping.", renewal_file, e)