--- a/taskcluster/taskgraph/task/transform.py
+++ b/taskcluster/taskgraph/task/transform.py
@@ -97,18 +97,22 @@ class TransformTask(base.Task):
         elif 'files-changed' in self.when:
             changed = files_changed.check(
                 params, self.when['files-changed'])
             if not changed:
                 logger.debug('no files found matching a pattern in `when.files-changed` for ' +
                              self.label)
                 return True, None
 
+        # no need to call SETA for build jobs
+        if self.task.get('extra', {}).get('treeherder', {}).get('jobKind', '') == 'build':
+            return False, None
+
         # for bbb tasks we need to send in the buildbot buildername
-        if self.task.get('provisionerId') == 'buildbot-bridge':
+        if self.task.get('provisionerId', '') == 'buildbot-bridge':
             self.label = self.task.get('payload').get('buildername')
             bbb_task = True
 
         # we would like to return 'False, None' while it's high_value_task
         # and we wouldn't optimize it. Otherwise, it will return 'True, None'
         if is_low_value_task(self.label,
                              params.get('project'),
                              params.get('pushlog_id'),