Is this the only exterior light? If no, I would consider disabling the fixture so it can't short out. It's one of those things where you turn it on, forget it's on and then you wonder why the house battery runs down so fast. The best set-up is when the exterior light has an interior indicator that reminds you that the outside light is on.
Lesson I learned the hard way!
Another solution is to get one of those cheap solar powered yard lights. Make a plywood base for it. Set it outside when you arrive and put it inside near the step when you leave.