diff --git a/runbot_builder/builder.py b/runbot_builder/builder.py
index 76545283..4ddd3ea7 100755
--- a/runbot_builder/builder.py
+++ b/runbot_builder/builder.py
@@ -16,8 +16,9 @@ class BuilderClient(RunbotClient):
         monitoring_thread = threading.Thread(target=docker_monitoring_loop, args=(builds_path,), daemon=True)
         monitoring_thread.start()
 
-        for repo in self.env['runbot.repo'].search([('mode', '!=', 'disabled')]):
-            repo._update(force=True)
+        if self.env['ir.config_parameter'].sudo().get_param('runbot.runbot_do_fetch'):
+            for repo in self.env['runbot.repo'].search([('mode', '!=', 'disabled')]):
+                repo._update(force=True)
 
     def loop_turn(self):
         if self.count == 1: # cleanup at second iteration
diff --git a/runbot_builder/leader.py b/runbot_builder/leader.py
index 47da297a..91ece899 100755
--- a/runbot_builder/leader.py
+++ b/runbot_builder/leader.py
@@ -11,10 +11,11 @@ class LeaderClient(RunbotClient):  # Conductor, Director, Main, Maestro, Lead
         super().__init__(env)
 
     def on_start(self):
-        _logger.info('Updating all repos')
-        for repo in self.env['runbot.repo'].search([('mode', '!=', 'disabled')]):
-            repo._update(force=True)
-        _logger.info('update finished')
+        if self.env['ir.config_parameter'].sudo().get_param('runbot.runbot_do_fetch'):
+            _logger.info('Updating all repos')
+            for repo in self.env['runbot.repo'].search([('mode', '!=', 'disabled')]):
+                repo._update(force=True)
+            _logger.info('update finished')
 
     def loop_turn(self):
         if self.count == 0: