diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/cargo.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/cargo.py
index 47b8fd8f082..085a4ade296 100755
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/cargo.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/cargo.py
@@ -255,6 +255,10 @@ def set_cargo_vars(self):
         env.setvar('RUST_LOG', 'DEBUG')
         env.setvar('RUST_BACKTRACE', '1')
 
+        # Use environment variable since it would also be passed along to builds triggered via python packages
+        if self.cfg['offline']:
+            env.setvar('CARGO_NET_OFFLINE', 'true')
+
     @property
     def crates(self):
         """Return the crates as defined in the EasyConfig"""
@@ -410,9 +414,6 @@ def _setup_offline_config(self, git_sources):
                     append=True
                 )
 
-        # Use environment variable since it would also be passed along to builds triggered via python packages
-        env.setvar('CARGO_NET_OFFLINE', 'true')
-
     def _get_crate_git_repo_branch(self, crate_name):
         """
         Find the dependency definition for given crate in all Cargo.toml files of sources