diff --git a/apply_issue.py b/apply_issue.py
index 22018742d..bcaa6f267 100755
--- a/apply_issue.py
+++ b/apply_issue.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 """Applies an issue from Rietveld.
 """
 
+import getpass
 import logging
 import optparse
 import os
@@ -93,6 +94,15 @@ def main():
   else:
     parser.error('Couldn\'t determine the scm')
 
+  # TODO(maruel): HACK, remove me.
+  # When run a build slave, make sure buildbot knows that the checkout was
+  # modified.
+  if options.root_dir == 'src' and getpass.getuser() == 'chrome-bot':
+    # See sourcedirIsPatched() in:
+    # http://src.chromium.org/viewvc/chrome/trunk/tools/build/scripts/slave/
+    #    chromium_commands.py?view=markup
+    open('.buildbot-patched', 'w').close()
+
   # Apply the patch.
   try:
     scm_obj.apply_patch(patchset)