--- a/atomic_reactor/plugins/build_orchestrate_build.py
+++ b/atomic_reactor/plugins/build_orchestrate_build.py
@@ -868,8 +868,12 @@ class OrchestrateBuildPlugin(BuildStepPlugin):
 
         # we have build_image with tag, so we can check for manifest list
         if build_image:
-            self.check_manifest_list(build_image, orchestrator_platform,
-                                     manifest_list_platforms, current_buildimage)
+            if "/" in build_image:
+                self.check_manifest_list(build_image, orchestrator_platform,
+                                         manifest_list_platforms, current_buildimage)
+            else:
+                for p in manifest_list_platforms:
+                    self.build_image_digests[p] = build_image
 
     def run(self):
         if not self.platforms: