diff --git a/doc/manual/rl-next/delete-no-realise.md b/doc/manual/rl-next/delete-no-realise.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..87897f84b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/manual/rl-next/delete-no-realise.md
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+---
+synopsis: "`nix store delete` no longer builds paths"
+cls: [2782]
+category: Fixes
+credits: lheckemann
+---
+
+`nix store delete` no longer realises the installables
+specified. Previously, `nix store delete nixpkgs#hello` would download
+hello only to immediately delete it again. Now, it exits with an error
+if given an installable that isn't in the store.
diff --git a/lix/nix/store-delete.cc b/lix/nix/store-delete.cc
index 0f702e688..cef62896f 100644
--- a/lix/nix/store-delete.cc
+++ b/lix/nix/store-delete.cc
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ struct CmdStoreDelete : StorePathsCommand
             .description = "Do not check whether the paths are reachable from a root.",
             .handler = {&options.ignoreLiveness, true}
         });
+        realiseMode = Realise::Nothing;
     }
 
     std::string description() override