diff --git a/rattail_fabric2/corepos.py b/rattail_fabric2/corepos.py
index 9c0f5ee..b1a7872 100644
--- a/rattail_fabric2/corepos.py
+++ b/rattail_fabric2/corepos.py
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ def install_corepos(c, rootdir, rooturl_office, production=True,
                     mysql_password='corepos',
                     mysql_name_prefix='',
                     composer='composer.phar',
+                    composer_install=True,
                     make_shadowread=False):
     """
     Install the CORE software to the given location.
@@ -62,18 +63,19 @@ def install_corepos(c, rootdir, rooturl_office, production=True,
         c.sudo('touch {}/fannie/DEV_MODE'.format(is4c), user=user)
 
     # composer install
-    # TODO: these 'allow' entries are needed for composer 2.4 at least...
-    c.sudo("bash -c 'cd {} && {} config --global --no-plugins allow-plugins.composer/installers true'".format(is4c, composer),
-           user=user)
-    c.sudo("bash -c 'cd {} && {} config --global --no-plugins allow-plugins.oomphinc/composer-installers-extender true'".format(is4c, composer),
-           user=user)
-    c.sudo("bash -c 'cd {} && {} config --global --no-plugins allow-plugins.corepos/composer-installer true'".format(is4c, composer),
-           user=user)
-    c.sudo("bash -c 'cd {} && {} install'".format(is4c, composer),
-           user=user)
-    # TODO: (why) is 'update' needed instead of 'install' ?
-    # c.sudo("bash -c 'cd {} && {} update'".format(is4c, composer),
-    #        user=user)
+    if composer_install:
+        # TODO: these 'allow' entries are needed for composer 2.4 at least...
+        c.sudo("bash -c 'cd {} && {} config --global --no-plugins allow-plugins.composer/installers true'".format(is4c, composer),
+               user=user)
+        c.sudo("bash -c 'cd {} && {} config --global --no-plugins allow-plugins.oomphinc/composer-installers-extender true'".format(is4c, composer),
+               user=user)
+        c.sudo("bash -c 'cd {} && {} config --global --no-plugins allow-plugins.corepos/composer-installer true'".format(is4c, composer),
+               user=user)
+        c.sudo("bash -c 'cd {} && {} install'".format(is4c, composer),
+               user=user)
+        # TODO: (why) is 'update' needed instead of 'install' ?
+        # c.sudo("bash -c 'cd {} && {} update'".format(is4c, composer),
+        #        user=user)
 
     # shadowread
     if make_shadowread: