diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 27d1e5f..6d94f1c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -71,6 +71,7 @@ High-level deployment action that handles both GitOps (ArgoCD) and direct kubect
 | `create_namespace` | Create namespace if it does not exist | ❌ | `true` |
 | `wait_timeout` | Timeout for waiting on deployments (seconds) | ❌ | `120` |
 | `env_patches` | Environment file patches (JSON format) | ❌ | - |
+| `enable_helm` | Pass `--enable-helm` to `kustomize build` (required for overlays using `helmCharts:`). Requires `helm` binary on the runner; fails fast if missing. Set to `false` to skip. | ❌ | `true` |
 
 \* **Image input options** (choose one):
   - Option 1: `image` (with embedded tag, e.g., `registry.io/app:v1.2.3`)
diff --git a/action.yml b/action.yml
index bdfbc22..aff6e17 100644
--- a/action.yml
+++ b/action.yml
@@ -67,6 +67,10 @@ inputs:
   env_patches:
     description: 'Environment file patches (JSON format matching patch-env-files, e.g., {"container.env":{"SENTRY_RELEASE":"v1.2.3"}})'
     required: false
+  enable_helm:
+    description: 'Pass --enable-helm to kustomize build (requires helm binary on runner). When true, fails fast if helm is not installed.'
+    required: false
+    default: 'true'
 
 outputs:
   mode:
@@ -101,6 +105,11 @@ runs:
           exit 1
         fi
 
+        if [ "${{ inputs.enable_helm }}" = "true" ] && ! command -v helm >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+          echo "::error::enable_helm=true but 'helm' binary not found in PATH. Install helm or set enable_helm=false."
+          exit 1
+        fi
+
     - name: Resolve image inputs
       id: images
       shell: bash
@@ -294,6 +303,7 @@ runs:
       uses: skyhook-io/kustomize-inspect@v1
       with:
         overlay_dir: ${{ inputs.working_directory }}/${{ inputs.overlay_dir }}
+        enable_helm: ${{ inputs.enable_helm }}
     
     - name: Detect GitOps mode
       id: detect
@@ -320,7 +330,11 @@ runs:
         fi
 
         # 2) Fall back to built manifests (app.kubernetes.io/managed-by)
-        BUILD_RESULT=$(kustomize build)
+        KUSTOMIZE_FLAGS=()
+        if [ "${{ inputs.enable_helm }}" = "true" ]; then
+          KUSTOMIZE_FLAGS+=(--enable-helm)
+        fi
+        BUILD_RESULT=$(kustomize build "${KUSTOMIZE_FLAGS[@]}")
         MANAGED_BY=$(echo "$BUILD_RESULT" | grep "app.kubernetes.io/managed-by:" | head -n1 | sed 's/.*app.kubernetes.io\/managed-by:\s*//' | tr -d '[:space:]' || true)
         echo "managed_by=$MANAGED_BY" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
 
@@ -359,7 +373,11 @@ runs:
       shell: bash
       working-directory: ${{ inputs.working_directory }}/${{ inputs.overlay_dir }}
       run: |
-        KUSTOMIZE_BUILD_RESULT=$(kustomize build)
+        KUSTOMIZE_FLAGS=()
+        if [ "${{ inputs.enable_helm }}" = "true" ]; then
+          KUSTOMIZE_FLAGS+=(--enable-helm)
+        fi
+        KUSTOMIZE_BUILD_RESULT=$(kustomize build "${KUSTOMIZE_FLAGS[@]}")
         echo "--- Deployment plan summary ---"
         echo "Deployment mode: ${{ steps.mode.outputs.mode }}"
         echo "KUSTOMIZE_BUILD_RESULT=$KUSTOMIZE_BUILD_RESULT"
@@ -383,4 +401,5 @@ runs:
         namespace: ${{ steps.inspect.outputs.namespace }}
         workloads_json: ${{ steps.inspect.outputs.workloads_json }}
         wait: 'true'
-        wait_timeout: ${{ inputs.wait_timeout }}
\ No newline at end of file
+        wait_timeout: ${{ inputs.wait_timeout }}
+        enable_helm: ${{ inputs.enable_helm }}
\ No newline at end of file