diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/firedrake/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/firedrake/default.nix
index b223e632552c..d46edecae34f 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/firedrake/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/firedrake/default.nix
@@ -170,6 +170,9 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
   '';
 
   passthru = {
+    # python updater script sets the wrong tag
+    skipBulkUpdate = true;
+
     tests = lib.optionalAttrs stdenv.hostPlatform.isLinux {
       mpich = firedrake.override {
         petsc4py = petsc4py.override { mpi = mpich; };