diff --git a/nginx.go b/nginx.go
index 76a9309..cc8c636 100644
--- a/nginx.go
+++ b/nginx.go
@@ -589,8 +589,11 @@ func writeUpstreamServers(f *os.File, origins []OriginItem, outputPort int, sett
 		if origin.Weight > 0 {
 			serverLine += fmt.Sprintf(" weight=%d", origin.Weight)
 		}
-		if strings.ToLower(origin.Mode) == "backup" && !allBackup {
+		mode := strings.ToLower(origin.Mode)
+		if mode == "backup" && !allBackup {
 			serverLine += " backup"
+		} else if mode == "down" {
+			serverLine += " down"
 		}
 		maxFails := getMaxFails(settings)
 		failTimeout := getFailTimeout(settings)