diff --git a/minio/helm-values/minio.yaml b/minio/helm-values/minio.yaml
index d96ceb4..ed872ed 100644
--- a/minio/helm-values/minio.yaml
+++ b/minio/helm-values/minio.yaml
@@ -65,6 +65,12 @@ consoleIngress:
 # This prevents Kubernetes from injecting service-related environment variables
 enableServiceLinks: false
 
+# Pod annotations for Velero backup exclusion
+# Exclude PVC data from backup (prevent circular backup of velero-backups bucket)
+# MinIO resources (StatefulSet, Service, etc.) will still be backed up
+podAnnotations:
+  backup.velero.io/backup-volumes-excludes: export
+
 # Use soft anti-affinity since worker-1 needs 2 pods (has 2 disks)
 affinity:
   podAntiAffinity:
diff --git a/velero/helm-values/velero.yaml b/velero/helm-values/velero.yaml
index f022f66..ccbc992 100644
--- a/velero/helm-values/velero.yaml
+++ b/velero/helm-values/velero.yaml
@@ -92,7 +92,9 @@ schedules:
         # Non-essential namespaces (to save storage)
         - postgresql-dev  # Dev database not needed in disaster recovery
         - harbor          # Rebuildable container images
-        - minio           # Backup storage itself (prevents circular backup)
+        # Note: minio namespace is now included in backup
+        # MinIO PVC data is excluded via pod annotation (backup.velero.io/backup-volumes-excludes)
+        # This backs up MinIO resources but not the data (prevents circular backup)
       snapshotVolumes: true
       defaultVolumesToFsBackup: true