diff --git a/elements/rhel-common/README.md b/elements/rhel-common/README.md
index f2eb64cf..807e9246 100644
--- a/elements/rhel-common/README.md
+++ b/elements/rhel-common/README.md
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ the hostname.
 #### REG\_METHOD
 Sets the method of registration.  Use "portal" to register a system with the
 Red Hat Customer Portal.  Use "satellite" to register a system with Red
-Hat Satellite 6.
+Hat Satellite 6.  Use "disable" to skip the registration process.
 
 #### REG\_ORG
 Gives the organization to which to join the system.
@@ -204,7 +204,8 @@ Heat metadata can be used to configure the rhel-common element.
         method:
             # Sets the method of registration.  Use "portal" to register a
             # system with the Red Hat Customer Portal.  Use "satellite" to
-            # register a system with Red Hat Satellite 6.
+            # register a system with Red Hat Satellite 6.  Use "disable" to
+            # skip the registration process.
 
 Configuration Registration Examples
 ------------------------------------
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 a15c1a92..306e2427 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
@@ -118,7 +118,10 @@ case "${REG_METHOD:-}" in
         # beta-rpms repo only needed to support the katello-ca rpm above.
         subscription-manager repos --disable ${satellite_repo}
         ;;
+    disable)
+        echo "Disabling RHEL registration"
+        ;;
     *)
-        echo "WARNING: only 'portal' and 'satellite' are valid values for REG_METHOD."
-        exit 0 # keeps the stack from failing if you don't set a value in REG_METHOD
+        echo "WARNING: only 'portal', 'satellite', and 'disable' are valid values for REG_METHOD."
+        exit 0
 esac
diff --git a/elements/rhel-common/pre-install.d/00-rhel-registration b/elements/rhel-common/pre-install.d/00-rhel-registration
index fb3b1d4d..bb979f8e 100755
--- a/elements/rhel-common/pre-install.d/00-rhel-registration
+++ b/elements/rhel-common/pre-install.d/00-rhel-registration
@@ -97,7 +97,11 @@ case "${REG_METHOD:-}" in
         # beta-rpms repo only needed to support the katello-ca rpm above.
         subscription-manager repos --disable rhel-7-server-rh-common-beta-rpms
         ;;
+    disable)
+        echo "Disabling RHEL registration"
+        export REG_HALT_UNREGISTER=1 # stops attempt to unregister
+        ;;
     *)
-        echo "WARNING: only 'portal' and 'satellite' are valid values for REG_METHOD."
-        exit 1 # RHEL requires registration, fail image build if REG_Method isn't set
+        echo "WARNING: only 'portal', 'satellite', and 'disable' are valid values for REG_METHOD."
+        exit 1
 esac