diff --git a/guix/self.scm b/guix/self.scm
index f03fe01d0c..142c834137 100644
--- a/guix/self.scm
+++ b/guix/self.scm
@@ -124,7 +124,11 @@ NODE's modules, under their FHS directories: share/guile/site and lib/guile."
           (symlink #$(node-compiled node) object))))
 
   (computed-file (string-append (node-name node) "-modules")
-                 build))
+                 build
+                 #:options '(#:local-build? #t
+
+                             ;; "Building" it locally is faster.
+                             #:substitutable? #f)))
 
 (define (node-fold proc init nodes)
   (let loop ((nodes nodes)