diff --git a/src/share/poudriere/common.sh b/src/share/poudriere/common.sh
index a4907362c7..5554f72608 100755
--- a/src/share/poudriere/common.sh
+++ b/src/share/poudriere/common.sh
@@ -9239,7 +9239,6 @@ prepare_ports() {
 		else
 			trim_ignored
 		fi
-		download_from_repo
 		if ! ensure_pkg_installed; then
 			delete_all_pkgs "pkg bootstrap missing: unable to inspect existing packages"
 		fi
@@ -9268,6 +9267,7 @@ prepare_ports() {
 			msg "Skipping recursive rebuild"
 		fi
 
+		download_from_repo
 		delete_stale_symlinks_and_empty_dirs
 		delete_stale_pkg_cache
 		download_from_repo_post_delete