diff --git a/bundles/backup-client/metadata.py b/bundles/backup-client/metadata.py
index 9762f96..0410fda 100644
--- a/bundles/backup-client/metadata.py
+++ b/bundles/backup-client/metadata.py
@@ -19,8 +19,10 @@ def cron(metadata):
 
     return {
         'cron': {
-            'backup': '{} 23 * * *    root    /usr/local/bin/generate-backup > /var/log/backup-client/backup.log 2>&1'.format(
+            # spread backups between 00:00 and 04:59 UTC
+            'backup': '{} {} * * *    root    /usr/local/bin/generate-backup > /var/log/backup-client/backup.log 2>&1'.format(
                 (node.magic_number % 60),
+                (node.magic_number % 4),
             ),
         },
         'icinga2_api': {