diff --git a/platform/backup.provision.inc b/platform/backup.provision.inc
index 3870fb318dd5bc0508dbfd03c4640d982c091eb2..272edc30d5ce9a5c2c3f4bbdf639380f298f9bb7 100644
--- a/platform/backup.provision.inc
+++ b/platform/backup.provision.inc
@@ -49,7 +49,12 @@ function drush_provision_drupal_provision_backup($url) {
   $backup_file = drush_get_option('backup_file');
   // Adds the site directory into the backup file
   drush_log(dt("Adding sites directory to !backup_file", array('!backup_file' => $backup_file)), 'backup');
-  $result = provision_shell_exec("tar -C %s -p -c -z -f %s .", drush_get_option('sites_path') . "/$url",  $backup_file);
+  if (substr($backup_file, -2) == 'gz') {
+    $command = "tar -C %s -p -c -z -f %s .";
+  } else {
+    $command = "tar -C %s -p -c -f %s .";
+  }
+  $result = provision_shell_exec($command, drush_get_option('sites_path') . "/$url",  $backup_file);
 
   if (!$result && !drush_get_option('force', false)) {
     drush_set_error('PROVISION_BACKUP_FAILED', dt("Could not back up sites directory for drupal"));