diff --git a/system-reinstall-bootc/src/main.rs b/system-reinstall-bootc/src/main.rs
index fd069fcd..8c2233c5 100644
--- a/system-reinstall-bootc/src/main.rs
+++ b/system-reinstall-bootc/src/main.rs
@@ -11,6 +11,10 @@ pub(crate) mod users;
 
 const ROOT_KEY_MOUNT_POINT: &str = "/bootc_authorized_ssh_keys/root";
 
+const NO_SSH_PROMPT: &str = "None of the users on this system found have authorized SSH keys, if
+your image doesn't use cloud-init or other means to set up users, you may not be able to log in
+after reinstalling. Do you want to continue?";
+
 fn run() -> Result<()> {
     bootc_utils::initialize_tracing();
     tracing::trace!("starting {}", env!("CARGO_PKG_NAME"));
@@ -20,8 +24,13 @@ fn run() -> Result<()> {
 
     let config = config::ReinstallConfig::load().context("loading config")?;
 
-    let mut reinstall_podman_command =
-        podman::command(&config.bootc_image, &prompt::get_root_key()?);
+    let root_key = &prompt::get_root_key()?;
+
+    if root_key.is_none() && !prompt::ask_yes_no(NO_SSH_PROMPT, false)? {
+        return Ok(());
+    }
+
+    let mut reinstall_podman_command = podman::command(&config.bootc_image, root_key);
 
     println!();