diff --git a/coveo_stew/metadata/poetry_api.py b/coveo_stew/metadata/poetry_api.py
index cf935f3..9c0181a 100644
--- a/coveo_stew/metadata/poetry_api.py
+++ b/coveo_stew/metadata/poetry_api.py
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ def __init__(
         dependencies: Mapping[str, Any] = None,
         dev_dependencies: Mapping[str, Any] = None,
         group: Mapping[str, Any] = None,
+        package_mode: bool = True,
         **extra: Any,
     ) -> None:
         self.name: Final[str] = name
@@ -62,6 +63,7 @@ def __init__(
         self.authors: Final[Iterable[str]] = authors
         self.version: Final[str] = version
         self.description: Final[str] = description
+        self.package_mode: Final[bool] = package_mode
 
         deps = dependencies_factory(dependencies)
         dev_deps = dependencies_factory(dev_dependencies)
diff --git a/coveo_stew/offline_publish.py b/coveo_stew/offline_publish.py
index bf023cb..e99eba1 100644
--- a/coveo_stew/offline_publish.py
+++ b/coveo_stew/offline_publish.py
@@ -80,8 +80,10 @@ def perform_offline_install(self, *, quiet: bool = False) -> None:
         if not self.project.lock_path.exists():
             raise LockNotFound("Project isn't locked; can't proceed.")
 
-        # build the wheels for the current project
-        self.project.build(self.wheelhouse)
+        # build the wheels for the current project unless `package-mode: false` is specified.
+        # ref: https://python-poetry.org/docs/basic-usage/#operating-modes
+        if self.project.package.package_mode:
+            self.project.build(self.wheelhouse)
         self._store_setup_dependencies_in_wheelhouse()
         self._store_dependencies_in_wheelhouse()