diff --git a/external/ccov/coverage_search.mjs b/external/ccov/coverage_search.mjs
index ed3519e81..e4f4536ec 100644
--- a/external/ccov/coverage_search.mjs
+++ b/external/ccov/coverage_search.mjs
@@ -89,12 +89,12 @@ const etagPath = `${indexPath}.etag`;
 // only when it has changed since the last run. When the network is unavailable
 // a previously cached copy is reused if present.
 async function refreshIndex() {
-  const hasCached = fs.existsSync(indexPath);
-
   if (values["no-download"]) {
     return; // Freshness check disabled; the read below validates existence.
   }
 
+  const hasCached = fs.existsSync(indexPath);
+
   // On any download failure, fall back to a previously cached copy when one
   // exists; otherwise there's nothing to search, so fail.
   const fallbackOrFail = reason => {