diff --git a/linux/scripts/deb-packaging.sh b/linux/scripts/deb-packaging.sh
index 22840396d54..4f9be7d329d 100755
--- a/linux/scripts/deb-packaging.sh
+++ b/linux/scripts/deb-packaging.sh
@@ -82,6 +82,10 @@ output_error() {
 }
 
 check_api_not_changed() {
+  if [[ -z "${BIN_PKG:-}" ]]; then
+    output_warning "Skipping check for API change because binary Debian package not specified"
+    return
+  fi
   # Checks that the API did not change compared to what's documented in the .symbols file
   tmpDir=$(mktemp -d)
   # shellcheck disable=SC2064