diff --git a/xbps-src b/xbps-src
index e88593d734d..f92b433f649 100755
--- a/xbps-src
+++ b/xbps-src
@@ -511,7 +511,7 @@ done
 
 # A temporary masterdir requires xbps-uchroot(8) and -O to use overlayfs
 # on tmpfs (available with xbps-0.45).
-if [ -n "$XBPS_TEMP_MASTERDIR" ]; then
+if [ -z "$IN_CHROOT" -a -n "$XBPS_TEMP_MASTERDIR" ]; then
     if [ "$XBPS_CHROOT_CMD" != "uchroot" ]; then
         echo "ERROR: -t requires XBPS_CHROOT_CMD=uchroot, exiting..."
         exit 1