diff --git a/lib/workers/repository/config-migration/index.spec.ts b/lib/workers/repository/config-migration/index.spec.ts
index 19ae2263eeb0f2..11fa18a755893a 100644
--- a/lib/workers/repository/config-migration/index.spec.ts
+++ b/lib/workers/repository/config-migration/index.spec.ts
@@ -46,6 +46,19 @@ describe('workers/repository/config-migration/index', () => {
     expect(ensureConfigMigrationPr).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(0);
   });
 
+  it('skips pr creation if config found in package.json', async () => {
+    const branchList: string[] = [];
+    mockedFunction(MigratedDataFactory.getAsync).mockResolvedValue({
+      content,
+      indent: partial<Indent>(),
+      filename: 'package.json',
+    });
+    const res = await configMigration(config, branchList);
+    expect(res).toMatchObject({ result: 'no-migration' });
+    expect(checkConfigMigrationBranch).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(0);
+    expect(ensureConfigMigrationPr).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(0);
+  });
+
   it('creates migration pr if needed', async () => {
     const branchList: string[] = [];
     mockedFunction(checkConfigMigrationBranch).mockResolvedValue({
diff --git a/lib/workers/repository/config-migration/index.ts b/lib/workers/repository/config-migration/index.ts
index 2574fdc4eacefb..fdd038f3274cb6 100644
--- a/lib/workers/repository/config-migration/index.ts
+++ b/lib/workers/repository/config-migration/index.ts
@@ -27,6 +27,14 @@ export async function configMigration(
     return { result: 'no-migration' };
   }
 
+  if (migratedConfigData.filename === 'package.json') {
+    logger.debug(
+      ' Using package.json for Renovate config is deprecated - please use a dedicated configuration file instead. Skipping config migration.',
+    );
+    MigratedDataFactory.reset();
+    return { result: 'no-migration' };
+  }
+
   const res = await checkConfigMigrationBranch(config, migratedConfigData);
 
   // migration needed but not demanded by user