diff --git a/client/internal/updater/installer/installer_common.go b/client/internal/updater/installer/installer_common.go
index 8e44bee82..d7714b169 100644
--- a/client/internal/updater/installer/installer_common.go
+++ b/client/internal/updater/installer/installer_common.go
@@ -42,6 +42,9 @@ func NewWithDir(tempDir string) *Installer {
 // This will run by the original service process
 func (u *Installer) RunInstallation(ctx context.Context, targetVersion string) (err error) {
 	resultHandler := NewResultHandler(u.tempDir)
+	if err := resultHandler.ClearStaleResult(); err != nil {
+		log.Warnf("failed to clear stale installer result: %v", err)
+	}
 
 	defer func() {
 		if err != nil {
diff --git a/client/internal/updater/installer/result.go b/client/internal/updater/installer/result.go
index 526c3eb53..55a0d8ac8 100644
--- a/client/internal/updater/installer/result.go
+++ b/client/internal/updater/installer/result.go
@@ -54,6 +54,12 @@ func (rh *ResultHandler) GetErrorResultReason() string {
 	return ""
 }
 
+// ClearStaleResult removes a result file left over from a previous installation
+// attempt so result watchers cannot read an outdated outcome for the current attempt.
+func (rh *ResultHandler) ClearStaleResult() error {
+	return rh.cleanup()
+}
+
 func (rh *ResultHandler) WriteSuccess() error {
 	result := Result{
 		Success:    true,