diff --git a/src/libstore/build/derivation-goal.cc b/src/libstore/build/derivation-goal.cc
index 29bf2852f..4d4342996 100644
--- a/src/libstore/build/derivation-goal.cc
+++ b/src/libstore/build/derivation-goal.cc
@@ -1138,7 +1138,7 @@ void DerivationGoal::resolvedFinished()
 
 HookReply DerivationGoal::tryBuildHook()
 {
-    if (!worker.tryBuildHook || !useDerivation) return rpDecline;
+    if (settings.buildHook.get().empty() || !worker.tryBuildHook || !useDerivation) return rpDecline;
 
     if (!worker.hook)
         worker.hook = std::make_unique<HookInstance>();