diff --git a/dzgui/const/update.py b/dzgui/const/update.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0487e2c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/dzgui/const/update.py
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+"""
+This file is intended to be patched by package maintainers
+repackaging DZGUI for use in different distributions.
+
+If DZGUI is going to be installed globally via a package manager
+or other means and will reside in an immutable location, or needs to be
+explicitly bound to a certain version, set the flag below to False.
+
+This will disable the ability for the application to self-manage and
+will suppress the "Updates available" button in the gutter.
+"""
+
+ALLOW_UPDATES = True
diff --git a/dzgui/data/CHANGELOG.md b/dzgui/data/CHANGELOG.md
index ca32a3c..90af44b 100644
--- a/dzgui/data/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/dzgui/data/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -65,7 +65,6 @@
 ## Unreleased
 - Load offline mods
 - Choose to jump into splash screen instead of server
-- Setup wizard
 - Local documentation
 - Raw debug command in context menu
 
diff --git a/dzgui/views/components/right_panel.py b/dzgui/views/components/right_panel.py
index 660b959..aad0d09 100644
--- a/dzgui/views/components/right_panel.py
+++ b/dzgui/views/components/right_panel.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ from dzgui.const.constants import (
     TMP_PATH,
     TMP_TARBALL,
 )
+from dzgui.const.update import ALLOW_UPDATES
 from dzgui.const.enum import ServerTab
 from dzgui.managers.threading import call_on_thread, StoredFunc, ThreadingManager
 from dzgui.strings import dialogs
@@ -94,7 +95,7 @@ class RightPanel(Gtk.Box):
             valign=Gtk.Align.END,
             spacing=10,
         )
-        if update is not None:
+        if ALLOW_UPDATES and update is not None:
             self.update_button.set_halign(Gtk.Align.END)
             self.gutter_box.add(self.update_button)
             self.update_button.connect(