diff --git a/distribution/bwc-zip/build.gradle b/distribution/bwc-zip/build.gradle
index ae7d366eab9..7bb5cce51b6 100644
--- a/distribution/bwc-zip/build.gradle
+++ b/distribution/bwc-zip/build.gradle
@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ task addUpstream(type: LoggedExec) {
 }
 
 task fetchLatest(type: LoggedExec) {
+  onlyIf { project.gradle.startParameter.isOffline() == false }
   dependsOn addUpstream
   workingDir = checkoutDir
   commandLine = ['git', 'fetch', 'upstream']