diff --git a/scripts/ipkg-build b/scripts/ipkg-build
index e42da2ecbc..21127f3391 100755
--- a/scripts/ipkg-build
+++ b/scripts/ipkg-build
@@ -15,8 +15,12 @@ FIND="${FIND:-$(which gfind)}"
 TAR="${TAR:-$(which tar)}"
 GZIP="$(which gzip)"
 
+# try to use fixed source epoch
+if [ -n "$SOURCE_DATE_EPOCH" ]; then
+	TIMESTAMP=$(date --date="@$SOURCE_DATE_EPOCH")
+
 # look up date of last commit
-if [ -d "$TOPDIR/.git" ]; then
+elif [ -d "$TOPDIR/.git" ]; then
 	GIT="$(which git)"
 	TIMESTAMP=$(cd $TOPDIR; $GIT log -1 -s --format=%ci)
 elif [ -d "$TOPDIR/.svn" ]; then