diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
index 70af17b41..d39c9cb44 100644
--- a/.travis.yml
+++ b/.travis.yml
@@ -3,6 +3,9 @@ language: c
 sudo: required
 dist: trusty
 
+# don't build tags separately
+if: tag IS blank
+
 compiler:
   - gcc
   - clang