diff --git a/lib/gui/app/components/update-notifier.js b/lib/gui/app/components/update-notifier.js
index 8fc7dd7a..e23c4428 100644
--- a/lib/gui/app/components/update-notifier.js
+++ b/lib/gui/app/components/update-notifier.js
@@ -62,6 +62,10 @@ const currentWindow = electron.remote.getCurrentWindow()
  * }
  */
 exports.shouldCheckForUpdates = (options) => {
+  if (process.env.ELECTRON_RESIN_UPDATE_LOCK) {
+    return false
+  }
+
   _.defaults(options, {
     lastSleptUpdateNotifierVersion: options.currentVersion
   })