diff --git a/.github/policies/prs.external-reviewers.generated.yml b/.github/policies/prs.external-reviewers.generated.yml
index 404ceb92720..6ec4283ae20 100644
--- a/.github/policies/prs.external-reviewers.generated.yml
+++ b/.github/policies/prs.external-reviewers.generated.yml
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ configuration:
               - not:
                   hasLabel:
                     label: emitter:graphql
+              - not: isDraft
             then:
               - addReply:
                   reply: "@fionabronwen @swatkatz @steverice — this PR modifies files in the
diff --git a/eng/common/scripts/labels/automation.ts b/eng/common/scripts/labels/automation.ts
index 81f73be4323..307f528db30 100644
--- a/eng/common/scripts/labels/automation.ts
+++ b/eng/common/scripts/labels/automation.ts
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ function createExternalReviewersConfig(config: RepoConfig): PolicyServiceConfig
               // on every subsequent push (the prs.triage policy also adds it, but adding
               // it here guarantees the guard is set even if that policy hasn't run yet).
               return {
-                if: [includesModifiedFiles(globs), not(hasLabel(area))],
+                if: [includesModifiedFiles(globs), not(hasLabel(area)), not("isDraft")],
                 then: [
                   addReply(
                     `${mentions} — this PR modifies files in the \`${area}\` area, which your team owns. Please take a look. (You can't be added as a formal reviewer because you're not a repository collaborator, so this is a heads-up instead.)`,
diff --git a/eng/common/scripts/labels/policy.ts b/eng/common/scripts/labels/policy.ts
index af6a1248dae..aae02f6990c 100644
--- a/eng/common/scripts/labels/policy.ts
+++ b/eng/common/scripts/labels/policy.ts
@@ -90,7 +90,8 @@ export type Condition =
   | And
   | Not
   | "isAssignedToSomeone"
-  | "isOpen";
+  | "isOpen"
+  | "isDraft";
 
 export function payloadType(payloadType: PayloadType["payloadType"]): PayloadType {
   return {