diff --git a/jwst/stpipe/utilities.py b/jwst/stpipe/utilities.py
index ee2f35f751c..8ec92c0222f 100644
--- a/jwst/stpipe/utilities.py
+++ b/jwst/stpipe/utilities.py
@@ -166,9 +166,9 @@ def record_step_status(datamodel, cal_step, success=True):
         If True, then 'COMPLETE' is recorded.  If False, then 'SKIPPED'
     """
     if success:
-        status = 'COMPLETE'
+        status = COMPLETE
     else:
-        status = 'SKIPPED'
+        status = SKIPPED
 
     if isinstance(datamodel, Sequence):
         for model in datamodel: