diff --git a/builder/pwnagotchi.yml b/builder/pwnagotchi.yml
index 6692d28..0ee6670 100644
--- a/builder/pwnagotchi.yml
+++ b/builder/pwnagotchi.yml
@@ -138,6 +138,16 @@
       repo: deb http://http.re4son-kernel.com/re4son/ kali-pi main
       state: present
 
+  - name: create /etc/apt/preferences.d/kali.pref
+    copy:
+      dest: /etc/apt/preferences.d/kali.pref
+      force: yes
+      content: |
+        # ensure kali packages that are installed take precedence
+        Package: *
+        Pin: release n=kali-pi
+        Pin-Priority: 999
+
   - name: add firmware packages to hold
     dpkg_selections:
       name: "{{ item }}"