diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/store.py b/lib/spack/spack/store.py
index dc2d5de54b..8509d728aa 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/store.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/store.py
@@ -371,7 +371,6 @@ def use_store(
         data.update(extra_data)
 
     # Swap the store with the one just constructed and return it
-    ensure_singleton_created()
     spack.config.CONFIG.push_scope(
         spack.config.InternalConfigScope(name=scope_name, data={"config": {"install_tree": data}})
     )
diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/test/bootstrap.py b/lib/spack/spack/test/bootstrap.py
index 5f11e2d381..f0d11d4124 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/test/bootstrap.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/test/bootstrap.py
@@ -228,3 +228,25 @@ def test_source_is_disabled(mutable_config):
     spack.config.add("bootstrap:trusted:{0}:{1}".format(conf["name"], False))
     with pytest.raises(ValueError):
         spack.bootstrap.core.source_is_enabled_or_raise(conf)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.regression("45247")
+def test_use_store_does_not_try_writing_outside_root(tmp_path, monkeypatch, mutable_config):
+    """Tests that when we use the 'use_store' context manager, there is no attempt at creating
+    a Store outside the given root.
+    """
+    initial_store = mutable_config.get("config:install_tree:root")
+    user_store = tmp_path / "store"
+
+    fn = spack.store.Store.__init__
+
+    def _checked_init(self, root, *args, **kwargs):
+        fn(self, root, *args, **kwargs)
+        assert self.root == str(user_store)
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(spack.store.Store, "__init__", _checked_init)
+
+    spack.store.reinitialize()
+    with spack.store.use_store(user_store):
+        assert spack.config.CONFIG.get("config:install_tree:root") == str(user_store)
+    assert spack.config.CONFIG.get("config:install_tree:root") == initial_store