diff --git a/osc/build.py b/osc/build.py
index 639c41b8..16ef720d 100644
--- a/osc/build.py
+++ b/osc/build.py
@@ -626,7 +626,8 @@ def main(apiurl, opts, argv):
             pac = store_read_package(os.curdir)
     if opts.multibuild_package:
         buildargs.append('--buildflavor=%s' % opts.multibuild_package)
-        pac = pac + ":" + opts.multibuild_package
+        if pac != '_repository':
+            pac = pac + ":" + opts.multibuild_package
     if opts.shell:
         buildargs.append("--shell")