diff --git a/pym/portage/dbapi/vartree.py b/pym/portage/dbapi/vartree.py
index 764cbff..a35d9f6 100644
--- a/pym/portage/dbapi/vartree.py
+++ b/pym/portage/dbapi/vartree.py
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@
 		"""
 		if self._lock_count:
 			self._lock_count += 1
-		else:
+		elif os.environ.get("PORTAGE_LOCKS") != "false":
 			if self._lock is not None:
 				raise AssertionError("already locked")
 			# At least the parent needs to exist for the lock file.
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@
 		"""
 		if self._lock_count > 1:
 			self._lock_count -= 1
-		else:
+		elif os.environ.get("PORTAGE_LOCKS") != "false":
 			if self._lock is None:
 				raise AssertionError("not locked")
 			self._lock_count = 0