diff --git a/overlay/usr/local/bin/veilor-installer b/overlay/usr/local/bin/veilor-installer
index a9f6ac5..59a988b 100644
--- a/overlay/usr/local/bin/veilor-installer
+++ b/overlay/usr/local/bin/veilor-installer
@@ -407,7 +407,9 @@ policycoreutils-python-utils
 tuned
 chrony
 firewalld
-plymouth
+# plymouth: removed in v0.5.13. Splash unreliable in QEMU; LUKS prompt
+# falls back to systemd-tty-ask-password-agent on tty1 (text). Cleaner
+# boot, smaller initramfs, fewer moving parts.
 
 # admin essentials
 git
@@ -435,6 +437,9 @@ zram-generator
 -kde-connect
 -open-vm-tools-desktop
 -mlocate
+-plymouth
+-plymouth-plugin-label
+-plymouth-system-theme
 
 %end