diff --git a/smol_k8s_lab/tui/distro_widgets/kubelet_config.py b/smol_k8s_lab/tui/distro_widgets/kubelet_config.py
index 294de57c0..d985d210b 100644
--- a/smol_k8s_lab/tui/distro_widgets/kubelet_config.py
+++ b/smol_k8s_lab/tui/distro_widgets/kubelet_config.py
@@ -115,9 +115,11 @@ def update_base_yaml(self, event: Input.Changed | Input.Submitted) -> None:
             # k3s uses a list
             if self.distro == "k3s":
                 args = distro_cfg["k3s_yaml"]['kubelet-arg']
-                if isinstance(args, list):
-                    args.append(f"{event.input.name}={event.input.value}")
-                else:
+
+                kubelet_arg = f"{event.input.name}={event.input.value}"
+                if isinstance(args, list) and kubelet_arg not in args:
+                    args.append(kubelet_arg)
+                elif not isinstance(args, list) and kubelet_arg not in args:
                     args = [f"{event.input.name}={event.input.value}"]
 
             self.app.write_yaml()