diff --git a/makefiles/docker.inc.mk b/makefiles/docker.inc.mk
index 9012516ea8..60643e3526 100644
--- a/makefiles/docker.inc.mk
+++ b/makefiles/docker.inc.mk
@@ -278,6 +278,10 @@ DOCKER_VOLUMES_AND_ENV += -e 'CCACHE_BASEDIR=$(DOCKER_RIOTBASE)'
 
 DOCKER_VOLUMES_AND_ENV += $(call docker_volume_and_env,BUILD_DIR,,build)
 
+# Prevent recursive invocation of docker by explicitely disabling docker via env variable,
+# overwriting potential default in application Makefile
+DOCKER_VOLUMES_AND_ENV += $(call docker_volume_and_env,BUILD_IN_DOCKER,,0)
+
 DOCKER_VOLUMES_AND_ENV += $(call docker_volume_and_env,RIOTPROJECT,,riotproject)
 DOCKER_VOLUMES_AND_ENV += $(call docker_volume_and_env,RIOTCPU,,riotcpu)
 DOCKER_VOLUMES_AND_ENV += $(call docker_volume_and_env,RIOTBOARD,,riotboard)