diff --git a/lib/bundler.js b/lib/bundler.js
index a823f9b24e..01a9491204 100644
--- a/lib/bundler.js
+++ b/lib/bundler.js
@@ -787,10 +787,12 @@ exports.bundle = function (app_dir, output_path, options) {
     packages.flush();
 
     var bundle = new Bundle;
-    if (options.versionOverride)
-      bundle.releaseManifest = warehouse.releaseManifestByVersion(options.versionOverride);
-    else
-      bundle.releaseManifest = warehouse.releaseManifestForApp(app_dir);
+    if (!files.in_checkout()) {
+      if (options.versionOverride)
+        bundle.releaseManifest = warehouse.releaseManifestByVersion(options.versionOverride);
+      else
+        bundle.releaseManifest = warehouse.releaseManifestForApp(app_dir);
+    }
 
     // our release manifest is set, let's now load the app
     var app = packages.get_for_app(app_dir, ignore_files);