diff --git a/osf/models/preprint.py b/osf/models/preprint.py
index 37e3f2968ff..8094b678ecd 100644
--- a/osf/models/preprint.py
+++ b/osf/models/preprint.py
@@ -313,14 +313,18 @@ def create(cls, provider, title, creator, description):
 
         return preprint
 
-    def has_unpublished_pending_version(self):
-        guid_obj = self.guids.first()
-        last_not_rejected_version = guid_obj.versions.filter(is_rejected=False).order_by('-version').first().referent
-        return last_not_rejected_version.machine_state == 'pending' and not last_not_rejected_version.is_published
-
-    def check_unfinished_pending_version(self):
-        guid_obj = self.guids.first()
-        last_not_rejected_version = guid_obj.versions.filter(is_rejected=False).order_by('-version').first().referent
+    def get_last_not_rejected_version(self):
+        guid_obj = self.get_guid()
+        return guid_obj.versions.filter(is_rejected=False).order_by('-version').first().referent
+
+    def check_unpublished_pending_version(self):
+        last_not_rejected_version = self.get_last_not_rejected_version()
+        if last_not_rejected_version.date_published:
+            return None
+        return last_not_rejected_version if last_not_rejected_version.machine_state == 'pending' else None
+
+    def check_initiated_but_unfinished_version(self):
+        last_not_rejected_version = self.get_last_not_rejected_version()
         return last_not_rejected_version if last_not_rejected_version.machine_state == 'initial' else None
 
     @classmethod
@@ -335,15 +339,20 @@ def create_version(cls, create_from_guid, auth):
         if not source_preprint.has_permission(auth.user, ADMIN):
             sentry.log_message('User must have admin permissions to create new version.')
             raise PermissionsError
-        if source_preprint.has_unpublished_pending_version():
-            sentry.log_message('Fail to create a new version since an unpublished pending version already exists.')
+        unpublished_pending_version = source_preprint.check_unpublished_pending_version()
+        if unpublished_pending_version:
+            sentry.log_message('Unpublished pending version found; failed to create a new one: '
+                               f'[version={unpublished_pending_version.version}, '
+                               f'_id={unpublished_pending_version._id}, '
+                               f'state={unpublished_pending_version.machine_state}].')
             raise UnpublishedPendingPreprintVersionExists
-        unfinished_version = source_preprint.check_unfinished_pending_version()
-        if unfinished_version:
+        initiated_but_unfinished_version = source_preprint.check_initiated_but_unfinished_version()
+        if initiated_but_unfinished_version:
             sentry.log_message(f'Unfinished version found, using it instead of creating a new one: '
-                               f'[version={unfinished_version.version}, _id={unfinished_version._id}, '
-                               f'state={unfinished_version.machine_state}].')
-            return unfinished_version, None
+                               f'[version={initiated_but_unfinished_version.version}, '
+                               f'_id={initiated_but_unfinished_version._id}, '
+                               f'state={initiated_but_unfinished_version.machine_state}].')
+            return initiated_but_unfinished_version, None
 
         # Note: last version may not be the latest version
         last_version_number = guid_obj.versions.order_by('-version').first().version
diff --git a/osf_tests/factories.py b/osf_tests/factories.py
index a0e5f66ef5b..17cf3f1558f 100644
--- a/osf_tests/factories.py
+++ b/osf_tests/factories.py
@@ -800,7 +800,7 @@ def create_version(cls, create_from, creator=None, final_machine_state='accepted
 
         # Run a few checks
         assert final_machine_state in ['pending', 'accepted']
-        assert create_from and not create_from.has_unpublished_pending_version()
+        assert create_from and not create_from.check_unpublished_pending_version()
         guid_obj = create_from.guids.first()
         latest_version = guid_obj.referent
         assert latest_version.is_latest_version