diff --git a/sm/certreqgen.c b/sm/certreqgen.c
index 01fba30f5..d5c857b08 100644
--- a/sm/certreqgen.c
+++ b/sm/certreqgen.c
@@ -1314,7 +1314,7 @@ create_request (ctrl_t ctrl,
           log_info ("about to sign the %s for key: &%s\n",
                     certmode? "certificate":"CSR", hexgrip);
 
-          if (carddirect)
+          if (carddirect && !certmode)
             rc = gpgsm_scd_pksign (ctrl, carddirect, NULL,
                                    gcry_md_read (md, mdalgo),
                                    gcry_md_get_algo_dlen (mdalgo),