diff --git a/abuild.in b/abuild.in
index 521d530..bcf3994 100644
--- a/abuild.in
+++ b/abuild.in
@@ -2074,8 +2074,18 @@ checksum() {
 }
 
 rootbld_actions() {
-	local part
-	for part in symlinksrc unpack prepare build rootpkg; do
+	local part _build=build _check=check_fakeroot
+	if ! is_function package; then
+		# if package() is missing then build is called from rootpkg
+		_build=true
+	fi
+	if options_has "!checkroot"; then
+		_check=check
+	fi
+	if ! want_check; then
+		_check=true
+	fi
+	for part in symlinksrc unpack prepare $_build $_check rootpkg; do
 		runpart $part
 	done
 }