diff --git a/roles/helm-apps/tasks/main.yml b/roles/helm-apps/tasks/main.yml
index ed55c5ae8..2dc2485bd 100644
--- a/roles/helm-apps/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/roles/helm-apps/tasks/main.yml
@@ -10,7 +10,9 @@
     release_name: dummy  # trick needed to refresh in separate step
     release_namespace: kube-system
     update_repo_cache: true
-  when: repositories != []
+  when:
+    - repositories != []
+    - helm_update
 
 - name: Install Helm Applications
   kubernetes.core.helm: "{{ helm_defaults | combine(release_common_opts, item) }}"
diff --git a/roles/helm-apps/vars/main.yml b/roles/helm-apps/vars/main.yml
index a7baa66bd..bcce54a8f 100644
--- a/roles/helm-apps/vars/main.yml
+++ b/roles/helm-apps/vars/main.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 ---
+helm_update: true
+
 helm_defaults:
   atomic: true
   binary_path: "{{ bin_dir }}/helm"