diff --git a/common/checkbuild.go b/common/checkbuild.go
index daa70a725..a65ecc8e2 100644
--- a/common/checkbuild.go
+++ b/common/checkbuild.go
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ func (c *checkbuildSingleton) GenerateBuildActions(ctx blueprint.SingletonContex
 		Rule:      blueprint.Phony,
 		Outputs:   []string{"checkbuild"},
 		Implicits: deps,
-		Optional:  true,
+		// HACK: checkbuild should be an optional build, but force it enabled for now
+		//Optional:  true,
 	})
 }