diff --git a/core/Makefile b/core/Makefile
index 4c1ae51..42e04fa 100644
--- a/core/Makefile
+++ b/core/Makefile
@@ -3819,7 +3819,9 @@
 $(eval $(call check-and-set-avb-args,vendor_boot))
 endif
 
+ifdef INSTALLED_SYSTEMIMAGE_TARGET
 $(eval $(call check-and-set-avb-args,system))
+endif
 
 ifdef INSTALLED_VENDORIMAGE_TARGET
 $(eval $(call check-and-set-avb-args,vendor))