diff --git a/roles/copy-release-tools-scripts/files/release-tools/process_release_requests.py b/roles/copy-release-tools-scripts/files/release-tools/process_release_requests.py
index a62d2e8b8d..af08631866 100755
--- a/roles/copy-release-tools-scripts/files/release-tools/process_release_requests.py
+++ b/roles/copy-release-tools-scripts/files/release-tools/process_release_requests.py
@@ -160,16 +160,21 @@ def process_release_requests(reporoot, filenames, meta_data):
 
         branch_name = get_branch(series_status, series_name)
 
+        with open(filename, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as f:
+            deliverable_data = yaml.safe_load(f.read())
+
+        trailing = deliverable_data.get('type') == 'trailing'
+        closed_series = series_name in CLOSED_SERIES
+
         # If the series is closed, do not process the file. We're
         # likely updating old data in the releases repo and we do not
         # want to reprocess any old branches or tags.
-        if series_name in CLOSED_SERIES:
+        # Exception is if the project is cycle-trailing typed, in that
+        # case late final stable release and EOL tagging is allowed.
+        if closed_series and not trailing:
             print('  {} skipping closed series'.format(filename))
             continue
 
-        with open(filename, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as f:
-            deliverable_data = yaml.safe_load(f.read())
-
         deliverable_releases = deliverable_data.get('releases', [])
 
         # If there are no releases or branches listed in this file, skip it.
@@ -221,6 +226,12 @@ def process_release_requests(reporoot, filenames, meta_data):
                     first_full_release, meta_data, branch_name,
                 )
 
+        # If the series is closed, do not process the branch
+        # section to avoid already deleted branch re-creation.
+        if closed_series:
+            print('  {} skipping closed series'.format(filename))
+            continue
+
         # Create branches and adapt master
         for branch in deliverable_data.get('branches', []):
             masterbranchname = nextbranchname(branch['name'], reporoot)