diff --git a/scale_build/packages/build.py b/scale_build/packages/build.py
index 00b3764..1e76861 100644
--- a/scale_build/packages/build.py
+++ b/scale_build/packages/build.py
@@ -73,11 +73,6 @@ class BuildPackageMixin:
 
         self.execute_pre_depends_commands()
 
-        if not os.path.exists(os.path.join(self.package_source_with_chroot, 'debian/control')):
-            raise CallError(
-                f'Missing debian/control file for {self.name} in {self.package_source_with_chroot}'
-            )
-
         self.run_in_chroot(f'cd {self.package_source} && mk-build-deps --build-dep', 'Failed mk-build-deps')
         self.run_in_chroot(f'cd {self.package_source} && apt install -y ./*.deb', 'Failed install build deps')
 
@@ -157,6 +152,11 @@ class BuildPackageMixin:
                 f'cd {self.package_source} && {predep_cmd}', 'Failed to execute predep command'
             )
 
+        if not os.path.exists(os.path.join(self.package_source_with_chroot, 'debian/control')):
+            raise CallError(
+                f'Missing debian/control file for {self.name} in {self.package_source_with_chroot}'
+            )
+
     @property
     def build_command(self):
         if self.buildcmd: