diff --git a/iridium_installer/backend/os_install.py b/iridium_installer/backend/os_install.py
index 77a7a90..9612f5c 100644
--- a/iridium_installer/backend/os_install.py
+++ b/iridium_installer/backend/os_install.py
@@ -283,9 +283,18 @@ def configure_system(mount_root, partition_info, user_info=None, disk_device=Non
             with open(os.path.join(mount_root, "etc/kernel/layout"), "w") as f:
                 f.write("bls\n")
 
+            # Cleanup existing systemd-boot files to ensure a fresh install since --force is not supported
+            for d in ["loader", "EFI/systemd", "EFI/BOOT"]:
+                path = os.path.join(mount_root, "boot", d)
+                if os.path.exists(path):
+                    import shutil
+                    if os.path.isdir(path):
+                        shutil.rmtree(path)
+                    else:
+                        os.remove(path)
+
             # Initialize systemd-boot
-            # We use --force to overwrite any existing entries and ensure it's the primary bootloader
-            run_command(["chroot", mount_root, "bootctl", "install", "--path=/boot", "--force"])
+            run_command(["chroot", mount_root, "bootctl", "install", "--path=/boot"])
 
             # Sync kernels and generate BLS entries
             # Since we rsync'd, kernels are in /lib/modules and /boot