diff --git a/packaging/cockpit-starter-kit.spec.in b/packaging/cockpit-starter-kit.spec.in
index 47052bf..278c5b7 100644
--- a/packaging/cockpit-starter-kit.spec.in
+++ b/packaging/cockpit-starter-kit.spec.in
@@ -34,12 +34,13 @@ ESLINT=0 NODE_ENV=production make
 
 %install
 %make_install
-appstream-util validate-relax --nonet %{buildroot}/%{_datadir}/metainfo/*
 
 # drop source maps, they are large and just for debugging
 find %{buildroot}%{_datadir}/cockpit/ -name '*.map' | xargs --no-run-if-empty rm --verbose
 
 %check
+appstream-util validate-relax --nonet %{buildroot}/%{_datadir}/metainfo/*
+
 # this can't be meaningfully tested during package build; tests happen through
 # FMF (see plans/all.fmf) during package gating