diff --git a/bitbake/lib/bb/cooker.py b/bitbake/lib/bb/cooker.py
index 75c77b7112..dea0aadbee 100644
--- a/bitbake/lib/bb/cooker.py
+++ b/bitbake/lib/bb/cooker.py
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ class BBCooker:
         self.configuration.data = bb.data.init()
 
         if not self.server_registration_cb:
-            bb.data.setVar("BB_WORKERCONTEXT", "1", self.configuration.data)
+            self.configuration.data.setVar("BB_WORKERCONTEXT", "1")
 
         filtered_keys = bb.utils.approved_variables()
         bb.data.inheritFromOS(self.configuration.data, self.savedenv, filtered_keys)