diff --git a/.copr/Makefile b/.copr/Makefile
index c7ef647daf..671dd67266 100644
--- a/.copr/Makefile
+++ b/.copr/Makefile
@@ -2,9 +2,10 @@ srpm:
 	./ci/installdeps.sh
 	# similar to https://github.com/actions/checkout/issues/760, but for COPR
 	git config --global --add safe.directory '*'
-	# fetch tags so `git describe` gives a nice NEVRA when building the RPM
-	git fetch origin --tags
-	git submodule update --init --recursive
+	# if we have a git repo, fetch tags so `git describe` gives a nice NEVRA when
+	# building the RPM
+	[ ! -d .git ] || git fetch origin --tags
+	[ ! -d .git ] || git submodule update --init --recursive
 	# Our primary CI build goes via RPM rather than direct to binaries
 	# to better test that path, including our vendored spec file, etc.
 	make -C packaging -f Makefile.dist-packaging srpm