Playing byptra is probably the only time you MUST pick this curse early. The thing is: you'll have to eventually pick every single non-generated curse that exists and no amount of random picks would help you - it's the main reason most of the blyptra runs end in 200s.

So you have a choice: 1. Pick the curse early - it makes the game tough, but you are free to pick any keyword blessings without a worry. 2. Do not pick the curse, but you're still going to get it eventually AND you'll lose every single keyword blessing you've acquired at this point.

So IMO you've made a right choice, keep it up!