diff --git a/pisi/build.py b/pisi/build.py
index 7e273393..9b954cc6 100644
--- a/pisi/build.py
+++ b/pisi/build.py
@@ -407,7 +407,7 @@ class Builder:
         os.chdir(curDir)
 
     def check_build_dependencies(self):
-        """fail if dependencies not satisfied"""
+        """check and try to install build dependencies, otherwise fail."""
 
         build_deps = self.spec.source.buildDependencies
 
@@ -436,7 +436,13 @@ class Builder:
         if dep_unsatis:
             ctx.ui.info(_("Unsatisfied Build Dependencies:") + ' '
                         + util.strlist([str(x) for x in dep_unsatis]) )
+
+            def fail():
+                raise Error(_('Cannot build package due to unsatisfied build dependencies'))
                 
+            if ctx.config.get_option('no_install'):
+                fail()
+
             if not ctx.config.get_option('ignore_dependency'):
                 for dep in dep_unsatis:
                     if not dependency.repo_satisfies_dep(dep):
@@ -446,7 +452,7 @@ class Builder:
                     ctx.ui.info(_('Installing build dependencies.'))
                     operations.install([dep.package for dep in dep_unsatis])
                 else:
-                    raise Error(_('Cannot build package due to unsatisfied build dependencies'))
+                    fail()
             else:
                 ctx.ui.warning(_('Ignoring build dependencies.'))
 
diff --git a/pisi/cli/commands.py b/pisi/cli/commands.py
index 83181d62..39025643 100644
--- a/pisi/cli/commands.py
+++ b/pisi/cli/commands.py
@@ -364,6 +364,8 @@ unpack, setup, build, install, package
                                default=True, help=_("automatically create a static package with ar files"))
         self.parser.add_option("-g", "--create-debug", action="store_true",
                                default=True, help=_("automatically create a debug package with debug files"))
+        self.parser.add_option("", "--no-install", action="store_true",
+                               default=False, help=_("don't install build dependencies, fail if a build dependency is present"))
 
 
     def run(self):
@@ -371,12 +373,17 @@ unpack, setup, build, install, package
             self.help()
             return
 
-            
-        if ctx.get_option('until'):
-            if ctx.get_option('until') in Build.steps:
+        # We cant use ctx.get_option as we didn't init PiSi
+        # currently...
+        if self.options.until:
+            if not self.options.until in Build.steps:
                 raise Error(_('Step must be one of %s ') % pisi.util.strlist(Build.steps))
 
-        self.init()
+        if self.options.no_install:
+            self.init(database=True, write=False)
+        else:
+            self.init()
+
         if ctx.get_option('output_dir'):
             ctx.ui.info(_('Output directory: %s') % ctx.config.options.output_dir)
         else: