diff --git a/tests/cmc-upgrade-kernel-test.md b/tests/cmc-upgrade-kernel-test.md
index 6d25dc8..abfe9b4 100644
--- a/tests/cmc-upgrade-kernel-test.md
+++ b/tests/cmc-upgrade-kernel-test.md
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ Validate CMC behavior across staged kernel upgrades on a cloned VM, including re
 - For all CMC-related actions in this test, use the `cirrusdata` skill/CLI path.
 - Exception: offline-host cleanup is not handled by that skill yet; use the MCP connection for offline-host removal.
 - Apply this rule to every relevant step in this procedure.
+- For every CMC install/reinstall command in this test, always include installer option: `-no-prebuilt-mtdi-nexus`.
 
 ## Red Hat Preflight (Global, Manual Tasks Only)
 - Apply this section when the test target is a Red Hat machine and the run is manually executed.
@@ -83,7 +84,7 @@ Validate CMC behavior across staged kernel upgrades on a cloned VM, including re
 22. Find DHCP address and verify it is not `<INITIAL_CLONE_HOST_OR_IP>`.
 23. If still `<INITIAL_CLONE_HOST_OR_IP>`, fix static config cleanup and repeat reboot/verify.
 24. Continue all remaining steps using DHCP IP and credentials from `/home/aw/code/cds/.env.credentials.local`.
-25. Using `cirrusdata` (`gcstage`, project `skidamarink`), reinstall CMC on clone.
+25. Using `cirrusdata` (`gcstage`, project `skidamarink`), reinstall CMC on clone, always adding `-no-prebuilt-mtdi-nexus`.
 26. Create local migration from 10GB source disk to 11GB destination disk using `cirrusdata`.
 27. Wait for initial sync completion.
 28. Check available kernels again using full candidate listing (not latest-only output).
@@ -100,7 +101,7 @@ Validate CMC behavior across staged kernel upgrades on a cloned VM, including re
 37. Check available kernels.
 38. Select latest-upgrade target kernel from the filtered candidate list (same major required; same minor preferred).
 39. Upgrade to selected latest target kernel and reboot.
-40. Reinstall CMC via `cirrusdata` (`gcstage`, `skidamarink`).
+40. Reinstall CMC via `cirrusdata` (`gcstage`, `skidamarink`), always adding `-no-prebuilt-mtdi-nexus`.
 41. Create a local migration (10GB -> 11GB) via `cirrusdata` and wait for initial sync completion.
 42. Confirm machine is online in `skidamarink` using `cirrusdata`.
 43. SSH and verify MTDI, Galaxy Migrate services/driver are up.