diff --git a/init.lua b/init.lua
index 99c7c9cb..0f1c2626 100644
--- a/init.lua
+++ b/init.lua
@@ -675,6 +675,8 @@ require('lazy').setup({
       require('mason-tool-installer').setup { ensure_installed = ensure_installed }
 
       require('mason-lspconfig').setup {
+        ensure_installed = {}, -- explicitly set to an empty table (Kickstart populates installs via mason-tool-installer)
+        automatic_installation = false,
         handlers = {
           function(server_name)
             local server = servers[server_name] or {}