diff --git a/shrinkwrap/utils/config.py b/shrinkwrap/utils/config.py
index 52246efeaa47749ca2b733d24912473742bbae1d..910547229dc095f56088f1566af54c2e6340cd84 100644
--- a/shrinkwrap/utils/config.py
+++ b/shrinkwrap/utils/config.py
@@ -570,6 +570,11 @@ def resolveb(config, btvars={}, clivars={}):
 			desc['sourcedir'] = os.path.join(workspace.build,
 							 'source',
 							 comp_dir)
+		else:
+			# Don't attempt to synchronize the source tree, it would override
+			# the user content
+			desc['repo'] = {}
+
 		if desc['builddir'] is None:
 			desc['builddir'] = os.path.join(workspace.build,
 							'build',