diff --git a/lib/transfer.sh b/lib/transfer.sh
index 09ad4f7..be63739 100644
--- a/lib/transfer.sh
+++ b/lib/transfer.sh
@@ -57,6 +57,14 @@ rsync_to_remote() {
             return 0
         fi
 
+        # Exit 23 = partial transfer (permission denied on some files)
+        # Exit 24 = vanished source files (deleted during transfer)
+        # Both are expected in non-root backups — treat as success with warning
+        if (( rc == 23 || rc == 24 )); then
+            log_warn "rsync completed with warnings (exit $rc): some files could not be transferred"
+            return 0
+        fi
+
         log_warn "rsync failed (exit $rc), attempt $attempt/$max_retries"
 
         if (( attempt < max_retries )); then
@@ -116,6 +124,11 @@ rsync_local() {
             return 0
         fi
 
+        if (( rc == 23 || rc == 24 )); then
+            log_warn "rsync (local) completed with warnings (exit $rc): some files could not be transferred"
+            return 0
+        fi
+
         log_warn "rsync (local) failed (exit $rc), attempt $attempt/$max_retries"
 
         if (( attempt < max_retries )); then