diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 567062e4..7b05cf35 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@ keywords = ["cli"]
 # Install it separately with `pip install arcticpy==2.6 --no-build-isolation
 # --no-deps` after installing numpy.
 dependencies = [
+    # Prevent fallback to Nerves releases permitting the CPU LAPACK deadlock.
+    "autonerves>2026.10.4.1",
     # Floors, not pins — keeps pip from backtracking the PyAuto family into
     # pre-extras releases when resolving alongside the [jax] chain.
     # PyAutoLens#687.