diff --git a/hack/buildkit-ref b/hack/buildkit-ref
index 99d3cf8401..280bb0e25c 100755
--- a/hack/buildkit-ref
+++ b/hack/buildkit-ref
@@ -1,18 +1,12 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
 # This script returns the current BuildKit ref and source repository being used.
 # This script will only work with a BuildKit repository hosted on GitHub.
-# If BUILDKIT_REF is already set in the environment, it will be returned as-is.
 #
 # The output of this script may be valid shell script, but is intended for use with
 # GitHub Actions' $GITHUB_ENV.
 
 buildkit_pkg=github.com/moby/buildkit
 
-if [ -n "$BUILDKIT_REF" ]; then
-	echo "$BUILDKIT_REF"
-	exit 0
-fi
-
 # get buildkit version from vendor.mod
 buildkit_ref=$(./hack/with-go-mod.sh go list -mod=mod -modfile=vendor.mod -u -m -f '{{if .Replace}}{{.Replace.Version}}{{else}}{{.Version}}{{end}}' "$buildkit_pkg")
 buildkit_repo=$(./hack/with-go-mod.sh go list -mod=mod -modfile=vendor.mod -u -m -f '{{if .Replace}}{{.Replace.Path}}{{else}}{{.Path}}{{end}}' "$buildkit_pkg")