diff --git a/makewhatis.cron.daily b/makewhatis.cron.daily
index 97924fa..bca03cd 100644
--- a/makewhatis.cron.daily
+++ b/makewhatis.cron.daily
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #!/bin/sh
 
 [ -z "$DURING_INSTALL" ] || exit 0
+[ -z "$FAKECHROOT" -a $FAKECHROOT ] || exit 0
 
 lockdir=/var/lock/makewhatis/lockdir
 
diff --git a/makewhatis.cron.weekly b/makewhatis.cron.weekly
index 12e34dc..3a1fd44 100644
--- a/makewhatis.cron.weekly
+++ b/makewhatis.cron.weekly
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #!/bin/sh
 
 [ -z "$DURING_INSTALL" ] || exit 0
+[ -z "$FAKECHROOT" -a $FAKECHROOT ] || exit 0
 
 lockdir=/var/lock/makewhatis/lockdir