building without the global package-db

Hi, I am trying to build a self-contained package-db that is independent of the global package-db. I am using ghc-7.8.4 and cabal-1.22.0.0. I create an empty package-db in package-db and type the following: cabal-1.22.0.0 install --package-db=clear --package-db=package-db bytestring-0.10.4.1 but I get cabal-1.22.0.0: With current ghc versions the global package db is always used and must be listed first. This ghc limitation may be lifted in future, see http://hackage.haskell.org/trac/ghc/ticket/5977 5977 was fixed 3 years ago -- should the error message be updated? I am told that cabal allows building without the global package db, but how? Cheers, Chris