diff --git a/pre_build.py b/pre_build.py
index 70f6e74309..2e03ed196d 100644
--- a/pre_build.py
+++ b/pre_build.py
@@ -5,14 +5,14 @@
 
 
 def build() -> None:
+    if os.environ.get("SKIP_PRE_BUILD", "") == "true":
+        print("Skipping front end build...")
+        return
     if which("yarn") is None:
         print(
             "Locust requires the yarn binary to be available in this shell to build the web front-end.\nSee: https://docs.locust.io/en/stable/developing-locust.html#making-changes-to-locust-s-web-ui"
         )
         exit(1)
-    if os.environ.get("SKIP_PRE_BUILD", "") == "true":
-        print("Skipping front end build...")
-        return
     print("Building front end...")
     subprocess.run(["make", "frontend_build"])