--- a/makewhatis.cron.daily	
+++ a/makewhatis.cron.daily	
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@ 
 #!/bin/sh
 
 [ -z "$DURING_INSTALL" ] || exit 0
+[ -z "$FAKEROOTKEY" ] || exit 0
 
 lockdir=/var/lock/makewhatis/lockdir
 
--- a/makewhatis.cron.weekly	
+++ a/makewhatis.cron.weekly	
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@ 
 #!/bin/sh
 
 [ -z "$DURING_INSTALL" ] || exit 0
+[ -z "$FAKEROOTKEY" ] || exit 0
 
 lockdir=/var/lock/makewhatis/lockdir