diff --git a/lib/compass/app_integration/rails/installer.rb b/lib/compass/app_integration/rails/installer.rb
index 68e6a021..2c6682a1 100644
--- a/lib/compass/app_integration/rails/installer.rb
+++ b/lib/compass/app_integration/rails/installer.rb
@@ -19,19 +19,16 @@ module Compass
 
         def write_configuration_files(config_file = nil)
           config_file ||= targetize('config/compass.rb')
-          directory File.dirname(config_file)
-          write_file config_file, config_contents
+          unless File.exists?(config_file)
+            directory File.dirname(config_file)
+            write_file config_file, config_contents
+          end
           directory File.dirname(targetize('config/initializers/compass.rb'))
           write_file targetize('config/initializers/compass.rb'), initializer_contents
         end
 
-        def config_files_exist?
-          File.exists?(targetize('config/compass.rb')) &&
-          File.exists?(targetize('config/initializers/compass.rb'))
-        end
-
         def prepare
-          write_configuration_files unless config_files_exist?
+          write_configuration_files
         end
 
         def finalize(options = {})
@@ -55,10 +52,12 @@ Sass will automatically compile your stylesheets during the next
 page request and keep them up to date when they change.
 NEXTSTEPS
           end
-          if manifest.has_stylesheet?
-            puts "\nNext add these lines to the head of your layouts:\n\n"
-            puts stylesheet_links
-            puts "\n(You are using haml, aren't you?)"
+          unless options[:prepare]
+            if manifest.has_stylesheet?
+              puts "\nNext add these lines to the head of your layouts:\n\n"
+              puts stylesheet_links
+              puts "\n(You are using haml, aren't you?)"
+            end
           end
         end
 
diff --git a/lib/compass/commands/create_project.rb b/lib/compass/commands/create_project.rb
index c714b023..ebebd507 100644
--- a/lib/compass/commands/create_project.rb
+++ b/lib/compass/commands/create_project.rb
@@ -43,7 +43,12 @@ module Compass
           self.options[:preferred_syntax] = syntax
         end
 
+        opts.on("--prepare", "Prepare the project by only creating configuration files.") do
+          self.options[:prepare] = true
+        end
+
         super
+
       end
     end
 
diff --git a/lib/compass/commands/stamp_pattern.rb b/lib/compass/commands/stamp_pattern.rb
index 0af1acf3..fb45bf34 100644
--- a/lib/compass/commands/stamp_pattern.rb
+++ b/lib/compass/commands/stamp_pattern.rb
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ Options:
         installer.init
         installer.run(:skip_finalization => true)
         UpdateProject.new(working_path, options).perform if installer.compilation_required?
-        installer.finalize(:create => is_project_creation?)
+        installer.finalize(options.merge(:create => is_project_creation?))
       end
 
       def is_project_creation?
diff --git a/lib/compass/installers/base.rb b/lib/compass/installers/base.rb
index e5c7a345..079f36b4 100644
--- a/lib/compass/installers/base.rb
+++ b/lib/compass/installers/base.rb
@@ -28,10 +28,10 @@ module Compass
       # Runs the installer.
       # Every installer must conform to the installation strategy of prepare, install, and then finalize.
       # A default implementation is provided for each step.
-      def run(options = {})
+      def run(run_options = {})
         prepare
-        install
-        finalize(options) unless options[:skip_finalization]
+        install unless options[:prepare]
+        finalize(options.merge(run_options)) unless options[:prepare] || run_options[:skip_finalization]
       end
 
       # The default prepare method -- it is a no-op.