diff --git a/build-aux/build-self.scm b/build-aux/build-self.scm
index f91b43987a..09979dc410 100644
--- a/build-aux/build-self.scm
+++ b/build-aux/build-self.scm
@@ -263,6 +263,9 @@ interface (FFI) of Guile.")
                  #~(define-module (gcrypt hash)
                      #:export (sha1 sha256))))
 
+  (define fake-git
+    (scheme-file "git.scm" #~(define-module (git))))
+
   (with-imported-modules `(((guix config)
                             => ,(make-config.scm))
 
@@ -272,6 +275,11 @@ interface (FFI) of Guile.")
                            ;; adjust %LOAD-PATH later on.
                            ((gcrypt hash) => ,fake-gcrypt-hash)
 
+                           ;; (guix git-download) depends on (git) but only
+                           ;; for peripheral functionality.  Provide a dummy
+                           ;; (git) to placate it.
+                           ((git) => ,fake-git)
+
                            ,@(source-module-closure `((guix store)
                                                       (guix self)
                                                       (guix derivations)