diff --git a/chrome/browser/extensions/extension_service.cc b/chrome/browser/extensions/extension_service.cc
index 50c00cf..06617e6d 100644
--- a/chrome/browser/extensions/extension_service.cc
+++ b/chrome/browser/extensions/extension_service.cc
@@ -1327,6 +1327,9 @@
 // Errors are reported through ExtensionErrorReporter. Success is not
 // reported.
 void ExtensionService::CheckForExternalUpdates() {
+  if (external_updates_disabled_for_test_)
+    return;
+
   CHECK(BrowserThread::CurrentlyOn(BrowserThread::UI));
   TRACE_EVENT0("browser,startup", "ExtensionService::CheckForExternalUpdates");
   SCOPED_UMA_HISTOGRAM_TIMER("Extensions.CheckForExternalUpdatesTime");