diff --git a/internal/roles/master/observer.go b/internal/roles/master/observer.go
index 64f69c8..46153b2 100644
--- a/internal/roles/master/observer.go
+++ b/internal/roles/master/observer.go
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ func (o *observer) pollNodes(ctx context.Context, onLeave func(types.Node) error
 
 		delay := time.Duration(o.backoff)
 		alive := false
-		for i := o.backoffCount; i > 0; i-- {
+		for i := o.backoffCount - 1; i >= 0; i-- {
 			_, err := client.Get[any](n.Endpoint, types.PathNodeHealthcheck)
 
 			if err == nil {