diff --git a/bob/devtools/build.py b/bob/devtools/build.py
index e91b29c9639cfff797def315fc187e072a451dde..d5908c20ccf95c8cea9527ba1251f21b19b2085b 100644
--- a/bob/devtools/build.py
+++ b/bob/devtools/build.py
@@ -654,8 +654,8 @@ def base_build(
         add_dependent_channels=True,
     )
 
-    if "channels" not in condarc_options:
-        condarc_options["channels"] = channels
+    # alays use the correct channel list: stable and public
+    condarc_options["channels"] = channels
 
     logger.info(
         "Using the following channels during (potential) build:\n  - %s",