diff --git a/lib/LinearSolveAutotune/src/LinearSolveAutotune.jl b/lib/LinearSolveAutotune/src/LinearSolveAutotune.jl
index c3146e6ba..6c6bdf0d0 100644
--- a/lib/LinearSolveAutotune/src/LinearSolveAutotune.jl
+++ b/lib/LinearSolveAutotune/src/LinearSolveAutotune.jl
@@ -1,10 +1,26 @@
 module LinearSolveAutotune
 
+# Ensure MKL is available for benchmarking by setting the preference before loading LinearSolve
+using Preferences
+using MKL_jll
+
+# Set MKL preference to true for benchmarking if MKL is available
+# We need to use UUID instead of the module since LinearSolve isn't loaded yet
+const LINEARSOLVE_UUID = Base.UUID("7ed4a6bd-45f5-4d41-b270-4a48e9bafcae")
+if MKL_jll.is_available()
+    # Force load MKL for benchmarking to ensure we can test MKL algorithms
+    # The autotune results will determine the final preference setting
+    current_pref = Preferences.load_preference(LINEARSOLVE_UUID, "LoadMKL_JLL", nothing)
+    if current_pref !== true
+        Preferences.set_preferences!(LINEARSOLVE_UUID, "LoadMKL_JLL" => true; force = true)
+        @info "Temporarily setting LoadMKL_JLL=true for benchmarking (was $(current_pref))"
+    end
+end
+
 using LinearSolve
 using BenchmarkTools
 using DataFrames
 using PrettyTables
-using Preferences
 using Statistics
 using Random
 using LinearAlgebra
@@ -18,7 +34,6 @@ using CPUSummary
 using RecursiveFactorization  
 using blis_jll
 using LAPACK_jll
-using MKL_jll
 using CUDA
 using Metal
 
@@ -143,6 +158,12 @@ Run a comprehensive benchmark of all available LU factorization methods and opti
   - Set Preferences for optimal algorithm selection
   - Support both CPU and GPU algorithms based on hardware detection
   - Test algorithm compatibility with different element types
+  - Automatically manage MKL loading preference based on performance results
+
+!!! note "MKL Preference Management"
+    During benchmarking, MKL is temporarily enabled (if available) to test MKL algorithms.
+    After benchmarking, the LoadMKL_JLL preference is set based on whether MKL algorithms
+    performed best in any category. This optimizes startup time and memory usage.
 
 # Arguments
 
diff --git a/lib/LinearSolveAutotune/src/preferences.jl b/lib/LinearSolveAutotune/src/preferences.jl
index 6db7fbecc..efc171bbb 100644
--- a/lib/LinearSolveAutotune/src/preferences.jl
+++ b/lib/LinearSolveAutotune/src/preferences.jl
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@ function set_algorithm_preferences(categories::Dict{String, String})
     
     # Extract benchmarked results by element type and size
     benchmarked = Dict{String, Dict{String, String}}()
+    mkl_is_best_somewhere = false  # Track if MKL wins any category
+    
     for (key, algorithm) in categories
         if contains(key, "_")
             eltype, size_range = split(key, "_", limit=2)
@@ -30,6 +32,12 @@ function set_algorithm_preferences(categories::Dict{String, String})
                 benchmarked[eltype] = Dict{String, String}()
             end
             benchmarked[eltype][size_range] = algorithm
+            
+            # Check if MKL algorithm is best for this category
+            if contains(algorithm, "MKL")
+                mkl_is_best_somewhere = true
+                @info "MKL algorithm ($algorithm) is best for $eltype at size $size_range"
+            end
         end
     end
     
@@ -118,6 +126,18 @@ function set_algorithm_preferences(categories::Dict{String, String})
         end
     end
     
+    # Set MKL preference based on whether it was best for any category
+    # If MKL wasn't best anywhere, disable it to avoid loading unnecessary dependencies
+    # Note: During benchmarking, MKL is temporarily enabled to test MKL algorithms
+    # This final preference setting determines whether MKL loads in normal usage
+    Preferences.set_preferences!(LinearSolve, "LoadMKL_JLL" => mkl_is_best_somewhere; force = true)
+    
+    if mkl_is_best_somewhere
+        @info "MKL was best in at least one category - setting LoadMKL_JLL preference to true"
+    else
+        @info "MKL was not best in any category - setting LoadMKL_JLL preference to false to avoid loading unnecessary dependencies"
+    end
+    
     # Set a timestamp for when these preferences were created
     Preferences.set_preferences!(LinearSolve, "autotune_timestamp" => string(Dates.now()); force = true)
     
@@ -178,6 +198,10 @@ function clear_algorithm_preferences()
         Preferences.delete_preferences!(LinearSolve, "autotune_timestamp"; force = true)
     end
     
+    # Clear MKL preference
+    Preferences.delete_preferences!(LinearSolve, "LoadMKL_JLL"; force = true)
+    @info "Cleared MKL preference"
+    
     @info "Preferences cleared from LinearSolve.jl."
 end
 
@@ -214,6 +238,12 @@ function show_current_preferences()
         end
     end
     
+    # Show MKL preference
+    mkl_pref = Preferences.load_preference(LinearSolve, "LoadMKL_JLL", nothing)
+    if mkl_pref !== nothing
+        println("\nMKL Usage: $(mkl_pref ? "Enabled" : "Disabled")")
+    end
+    
     timestamp = Preferences.load_preference(LinearSolve, "autotune_timestamp", "unknown")
     println("\nLast updated: $timestamp")
 end
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