diff --git a/diskimage_builder/elements/simple-init/README.rst b/diskimage_builder/elements/simple-init/README.rst
index 2716dd29b..286844eee 100644
--- a/diskimage_builder/elements/simple-init/README.rst
+++ b/diskimage_builder/elements/simple-init/README.rst
@@ -9,6 +9,11 @@ present in the host cloud. Additionally, in environments where cloud-init
 is not used, there are a couple of small things, like mounting config-drive
 and pulling ssh keys from it, that need to be done at boot time.
 
+.. note::
+   This element removes cloud-init as it can stomp on the configuration
+   applied by glean, resulting in additional problems for operators,
+   and a more difficult path troubleshooting.
+
 Autodetect network interfaces during boot and configure them
 ------------------------------------------------------------
 
diff --git a/diskimage_builder/elements/simple-init/package-installs.yaml b/diskimage_builder/elements/simple-init/package-installs.yaml
index 123403475..5c6910a30 100644
--- a/diskimage_builder/elements/simple-init/package-installs.yaml
+++ b/diskimage_builder/elements/simple-init/package-installs.yaml
@@ -7,3 +7,5 @@ NetworkManager:
   when: DIB_SIMPLE_INIT_NETWORKMANAGER != 0
 NetworkManager-initscripts-ifcfg-rh:
   when: DIB_SIMPLE_INIT_NETWORKMANAGER != 0
+cloud-init:
+  uninstall: True
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/simple-init-remove-cloud-init-929b271310e0f774.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/simple-init-remove-cloud-init-929b271310e0f774.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2aba63cb6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/simple-init-remove-cloud-init-929b271310e0f774.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+fixes:
+  - |
+    Use of the ``simple-init`` element now removes ``cloud-init``, in order
+    to prevent the two tools from clashing when booting a workload.