diff --git a/distribution/bwc/build.gradle b/distribution/bwc/build.gradle
index 71c8ce59cb7a8..f2c4a09edd4d8 100644
--- a/distribution/bwc/build.gradle
+++ b/distribution/bwc/build.gradle
@@ -134,6 +134,7 @@ if (enabled) {
     dependsOn checkoutBwcBranch, writeBuildMetadata
     dir = checkoutDir
     tasks = [':distribution:deb:assemble', ':distribution:rpm:assemble', ':distribution:zip:assemble']
+    startParameter.systemPropertiesArgs = ['build.snapshot': 'true']
     doLast {
       List missing = [bwcDeb, bwcRpm, bwcZip].grep { file ->
         false == file.exists() }