diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0c5339a9..9d8050c0 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -25,8 +25,8 @@ built as a pre-requisite. The value can also contain a gemset in the form of
 **Note:** a fully qualified RVM string name needs to be used, which can be
 found when running `rvm list known`.
 
-The default is `ruby-1.9.2-p180`. To disable a ruby form being installed, set this
-attribute to `nil`.
+The default is `ruby-1.9.2-p180`. To disable a default ruby from being
+installed, see the `install_rubies` attribute.
 
 ## `rubies`
 
@@ -39,7 +39,18 @@ care of installing itself. For example:
 **Note:** a fully qualified RVM string name needs to be used, which can be
 found when running `rvm list known`.
 
-The default is an empty array.
+The default is an empty array. To disable a default ruby from being
+installed, see the `install_rubies` attribute.
+
+## `install_rubies`
+
+Can enable or disable installation of a default ruby and additional rubies set
+attribute metadata. The primary use case for this attribute is when you don't
+want any rubies installed (but you want RVM installed). To do so:
+
+    node[:rvm][:install_rubies] = "disable"
+
+The default is `enable`.
 
 ## `global_gems`
 
diff --git a/attributes/default.rb b/attributes/default.rb
index 0421d24e..35fb0747 100644
--- a/attributes/default.rb
+++ b/attributes/default.rb
@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@
 
 default[:rvm][:upgrade] = "none"
 
+# a hook to disable installing any default/additional rubies
+default[:rvm][:install_rubies] = "enable"
+
 # ruby that will get installed and set to `rvm use default`.
 default[:rvm][:default_ruby] = "ruby-1.9.2-p180"
 
diff --git a/recipes/default.rb b/recipes/default.rb
index fdbd3434..bb03ac12 100644
--- a/recipes/default.rb
+++ b/recipes/default.rb
@@ -36,14 +36,14 @@
 
 include_recipe "rvm::system"
 
-# set a default ruby
-unless node[:rvm][:default_ruby].nil?
+if node[:rvm][:install_rubies] == "enable"
+  # set a default ruby
   rvm_default_ruby node[:rvm][:default_ruby]
-end
 
-# install additional rubies
-node[:rvm][:rubies].each do |rubie|
-  rvm_ruby rubie
+  # install additional rubies
+  node[:rvm][:rubies].each do |rubie|
+    rvm_ruby rubie
+  end
 end
 
 # install global gems