diff --git a/pmb/install/_install.py b/pmb/install/_install.py
index a4a022db..83624718 100644
--- a/pmb/install/_install.py
+++ b/pmb/install/_install.py
@@ -398,7 +398,7 @@ def install_system_image(args):
     pmb.chroot.shutdown(args, True)
 
     # Convert rootfs to sparse using img2simg
-    if args.deviceinfo["flash_sparse"] == "true" and not args.split:
+    if args.deviceinfo["flash_sparse"] == "true" and not args.split and not args.sdcard:
         logging.info("(native) make sparse rootfs")
         pmb.chroot.apk.install(args, ["libsparse"])
         sys_image = args.device + ".img"