diff --git a/scripts/in_container/install_airflow_and_providers.py b/scripts/in_container/install_airflow_and_providers.py
index 3118773721554..d008e24313911 100755
--- a/scripts/in_container/install_airflow_and_providers.py
+++ b/scripts/in_container/install_airflow_and_providers.py
@@ -1127,9 +1127,14 @@ def _install_airflow_and_optionally_providers_together(
         "pip",
         "install",
     ]
+    if installation_spec.pre_release or (
+        installation_spec.airflow_distribution and "==" in installation_spec.airflow_distribution
+    ):
+        console.print("[bright_blue]Allowing install w/ cooldown as specific distribution requested.")
+        base_install_cmd.extend(["--exclude-newer", datetime.now().isoformat()])
     if installation_spec.pre_release:
         console.print("[bright_blue]Allowing pre-release versions of airflow and providers")
-        base_install_cmd.extend(["--pre", "--exclude-newer", datetime.now().isoformat()])
+        base_install_cmd.append("--pre")
     if installation_spec.airflow_distribution:
         console.print(
             f"\n[bright_blue]Adding airflow distribution to installation: {installation_spec.airflow_distribution} "
@@ -1224,9 +1229,13 @@ def _install_only_airflow_airflow_core_task_sdk_with_constraints(
         "pip",
         "install",
     ]
-    if installation_spec.pre_release:
+    if installation_spec.pre_release or (
+        installation_spec.airflow_distribution and "==" in installation_spec.airflow_distribution
+    ):
         console.print("[bright_blue]Allowing pre-release versions of airflow and providers")
-        base_install_airflow_cmd.extend(["--pre", "--exclude-newer", datetime.now().isoformat()])
+        base_install_airflow_cmd.extend(["--exclude-newer", datetime.now().isoformat()])
+    if installation_spec.pre_release:
+        base_install_airflow_cmd.append("--pre")
     if installation_spec.airflow_distribution:
         console.print(
             f"\n[bright_blue]Installing airflow distribution: {installation_spec.airflow_distribution} with constraints"