diff --git a/spindle/server.go b/spindle/server.go
index 74f76f28..bd5afdf5 100644
--- a/spindle/server.go
+++ b/spindle/server.go
@@ -883,8 +883,12 @@ func (s *Spindle) processKnotStreamInner(ctx context.Context, src eventconsumer.
 
 		repoCloneUri := s.newRepoCloneUrl(src.Host, repoDid)
 		repoPath := s.newRepoPath(repoDid)
-		if err := gitutil.SparseSync(ctx, repoCloneUri, repoPath, event.NewSha, sparseWorkflowDir); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("sync git repo: %w", err)
+		// the default-branch schedule refresh below syncs on demand, so a
+		// skip-ci push needs no eager checkout
+		if !skipPipeline {
+			if err := gitutil.SparseSync(ctx, repoCloneUri, repoPath, event.NewSha, sparseWorkflowDir); err != nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("sync git repo: %w", err)
+			}
 		}
 
 		triggerRepo, err := s.buildTriggerRepo(ctx, repo)