diff --git a/dib/ironic-python-agent-ramdisk/environment.d/20-disable-epel.bash b/dib/ironic-python-agent-ramdisk/environment.d/20-disable-epel.bash
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b9923ee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/dib/ironic-python-agent-ramdisk/environment.d/20-disable-epel.bash
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+if [[ "$DISTRO_NAME" == "centos" ]] && [[ "$DIB_RELEASE" == 8 ]]; then
+    # Disable EPEL unless enabled explicitly
+    export DIB_EPEL_DISABLED=${DIB_EPEL_DISABLED:-1}
+fi