diff --git a/src/cmd/go/internal/cache/default.go b/src/cmd/go/internal/cache/default.go
index 6411ec7a56..8a5c12c5f5 100644
--- a/src/cmd/go/internal/cache/default.go
+++ b/src/cmd/go/internal/cache/default.go
@@ -68,6 +68,9 @@ func DefaultDir() string {
 	switch runtime.GOOS {
 	case "windows":
 		dir = os.Getenv("LocalAppData")
+		if dir == "" {
+			return "off"
+		}
 
 	case "darwin":
 		dir = os.Getenv("HOME")