diff --git a/osbuild/formats/v1.py b/osbuild/formats/v1.py
index d0b1de86..41b540ab 100644
--- a/osbuild/formats/v1.py
+++ b/osbuild/formats/v1.py
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ def load_pipeline(description: Dict, index: Index, manifest: Manifest) -> Pipeli
         asm.inputs = {
             "tree": Input(info, {"pipeline": {"id": pipeline.tree_id}})
         }
+        pipeline.export = True
 
     return pipeline
 
diff --git a/osbuild/pipeline.py b/osbuild/pipeline.py
index df34d5b3..b145ea80 100644
--- a/osbuild/pipeline.py
+++ b/osbuild/pipeline.py
@@ -116,6 +116,7 @@ class Pipeline:
         self.runner = runner
         self.stages = []
         self.assembler = None
+        self.export = False
 
     @property
     def id(self):
@@ -275,7 +276,7 @@ class Pipeline:
 
             results.update(r)  # This will also update 'success'
 
-        if obj:
+        if self.export and obj:
             if output_directory:
                 obj.export(output_directory)