diff --git a/builder/common/step_pre_validate.go b/builder/common/step_pre_validate.go
index ad96b07a5..ba83cacfb 100644
--- a/builder/common/step_pre_validate.go
+++ b/builder/common/step_pre_validate.go
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ type StepPreValidate struct {
 	DestAmiName        string
 	ForceDeregister    bool
 	AMISkipBuildRegion bool
+	AMISkipCreateImage bool
 	VpcId              string
 	SubnetId           string
 	HasSubnetFilter    bool
@@ -89,6 +90,11 @@ func (s *StepPreValidate) Run(ctx context.Context, state multistep.StateBag) mul
 		return multistep.ActionContinue
 	}
 
+	if s.AMISkipCreateImage {
+		ui.Say("skip_create_ami was set; not prevalidating AMI name")
+		return multistep.ActionContinue
+	}
+
 	ec2conn := state.Get("ec2").(*ec2.EC2)
 
 	// Validate VPC settings for non-default VPCs
diff --git a/builder/ebs/builder.go b/builder/ebs/builder.go
index d879bde08..8459b243a 100644
--- a/builder/ebs/builder.go
+++ b/builder/ebs/builder.go
@@ -290,6 +290,7 @@ func (b *Builder) Run(ctx context.Context, ui packersdk.Ui, hook packersdk.Hook)
 			DestAmiName:        b.config.AMIName,
 			ForceDeregister:    b.config.AMIForceDeregister,
 			AMISkipBuildRegion: b.config.AMISkipBuildRegion,
+			AMISkipCreateImage: b.config.AMISkipCreateImage,
 			VpcId:              b.config.VpcId,
 			SubnetId:           b.config.SubnetId,
 			HasSubnetFilter:    !b.config.SubnetFilter.Empty(),