diff --git a/elements/rhel-common/os-refresh-config/pre-configure.d/06-rhel-registration b/elements/rhel-common/os-refresh-config/pre-configure.d/06-rhel-registration
index 79144eef6..21f386f28 100755
--- a/elements/rhel-common/os-refresh-config/pre-configure.d/06-rhel-registration
+++ b/elements/rhel-common/os-refresh-config/pre-configure.d/06-rhel-registration
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ case "${REG_METHOD:-}" in
     portal)
         echo "Registering with options: $sanitized_opts"
         subscription-manager register $opts
-        if [ -z "${REG_AUTO_ATTACH:-}" ]; then
+        if [ -z "${REG_AUTO_ATTACH:-}" -a -z "${REG_ACTIVATION_KEY:-}" ]; then
             echo "Attaching with options: $attach_opts"
             subscription-manager attach $attach_opts
         fi
diff --git a/elements/rhel-common/pre-install.d/00-rhel-registration b/elements/rhel-common/pre-install.d/00-rhel-registration
index 4bfb1a242..dcb69d8f8 100755
--- a/elements/rhel-common/pre-install.d/00-rhel-registration
+++ b/elements/rhel-common/pre-install.d/00-rhel-registration
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ case "${REG_METHOD:-}" in
     portal)
         echo "Registering with options: $sanitized_opts"
         subscription-manager register $opts
-        if [ -z "${REG_AUTO_ATTACH:-}" ]; then
+        if [ -z "${REG_AUTO_ATTACH:-}" -a -z "${REG_ACTIVATION_KEY:-}" ]; then
             echo "Attaching with options: $attach_opts"
             subscription-manager attach $attach_opts
         fi