diff --git a/src/cargo/util/toml/embedded.rs b/src/cargo/util/toml/embedded.rs
index be13898c9..4c26c73db 100644
--- a/src/cargo/util/toml/embedded.rs
+++ b/src/cargo/util/toml/embedded.rs
@@ -84,9 +84,6 @@ fn expand_manifest_(manifest: &str, path: &std::path::Path) -> CargoResult<toml:
         }
     }
 
-    // Prevent looking for a workspace by `read_manifest_from_str`
-    manifest.insert("workspace".to_owned(), toml::Table::new().into());
-
     if let Some(package) = manifest.get("package").and_then(|v| v.as_table()) {
         for key in ["workspace", "build", "links"]
             .iter()
@@ -539,8 +536,6 @@ fn main() {}
 name = "test-"
 path = "/home/me/test.rs"
 
-[workspace]
-
 "#]]
         );
     }
@@ -564,8 +559,6 @@ path = [..]
 [dependencies]
 time = "0.1.25"
 
-[workspace]
-
 "#]]
         );
     }
diff --git a/src/cargo/util/toml/mod.rs b/src/cargo/util/toml/mod.rs
index 6574ea6dd..f1f03966e 100644
--- a/src/cargo/util/toml/mod.rs
+++ b/src/cargo/util/toml/mod.rs
@@ -308,7 +308,10 @@ fn normalize_toml(
         build_dependencies2: None,
         target: None,
         lints: None,
-        workspace: original_toml.workspace.clone(),
+        workspace: original_toml.workspace.clone().or_else(|| {
+            // Prevent looking for a workspace by `read_manifest_from_str`
+            is_embedded.then(manifest::TomlWorkspace::default)
+        }),
         profile: original_toml.profile.clone(),
         patch: normalize_patch(
             gctx,