diff --git a/mk/fstools.mk b/mk/fstools.mk
index 004b4c3c..052368cd 100644
--- a/mk/fstools.mk
+++ b/mk/fstools.mk
@@ -35,11 +35,16 @@ else
 	$(REPO_BIN) fetch installer redoxfs
 endif
 
+CARGO_OFFLINE_FLAG=
+ifeq ($(REPO_OFFLINE),1)
+CARGO_OFFLINE_FLAG=--offline
+endif
+
 $(FSTOOLS_TAG): $(CONTAINER_TAG)
 ifeq ($(PODMAN_BUILD),1)
 	$(PODMAN_RUN) make $@
 else
-	$(HOST_CARGO) build --manifest-path Cargo.toml --release --locked
+	$(HOST_CARGO) build --manifest-path Cargo.toml --release --locked $(CARGO_OFFLINE_FLAG)
 	mkdir -p $(@D)
 	touch $@
 endif
diff --git a/mk/repo.mk b/mk/repo.mk
index 4b871ccb..fe7ac558 100644
--- a/mk/repo.mk
+++ b/mk/repo.mk
@@ -39,6 +39,14 @@ else
 	$(REPO_BIN) fetch $(COOKBOOK_OPTS) --with-package-deps
 endif
 
+# Fetch Cargo dependencies for the cookbook tool (needed for REPO_OFFLINE=1 builds)
+cargo-fetch: FORCE
+ifeq ($(PODMAN_BUILD),1)
+	$(PODMAN_RUN) make $@
+else
+	$(HOST_CARGO) fetch --manifest-path Cargo.toml --locked
+endif
+
 # Find recipe for one or more targets separated by comma
 find.%: $(FSTOOLS_TAG) FORCE
 ifeq ($(PODMAN_BUILD),1)