diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes
index c72bd13..25731f6 100644
--- a/.gitattributes
+++ b/.gitattributes
@@ -10,3 +10,6 @@ downloads/03-myths-fairy-tales/MANIFEST.md -filter -diff -merge text
 downloads/04-pictures/MANIFEST.md -filter -diff -merge text
 *.pdf filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
 *.djvu filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+# any large binary by extension (data catalogs, future downloads)
+*.pdf filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text
+*.djvu filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text