diff --git a/repo2docker/buildpacks/base.py b/repo2docker/buildpacks/base.py
index f8dcf758..d3e8ec40 100644
--- a/repo2docker/buildpacks/base.py
+++ b/repo2docker/buildpacks/base.py
@@ -630,7 +630,7 @@ def _filter_tar(tarinfo):
 
         if files_to_add:
             for item in files_to_add:
-                tar.add(item, f"src/{item}", filter=_filter_tar)
+                tar.add(item, f"src/{item}", recursive=False, filter=_filter_tar)
         else:
             # Either the source was empty or everything was filtered out.
             # In any case, create an src dir so the build can proceed.