diff --git a/README b/README
index 498d0aa4..3843d782 100644
--- a/README
+++ b/README
@@ -7,9 +7,7 @@ install locally, using the following instructions...
 
  0) If you have pulled the source from the upstream bzr repository
     (bzr branch lp:byobu) then you first need to run:
-      aclocal
-      automake --add-missing --copy
-      autoconf
+      ./debian/rules autoconf
  1) Or download the latest version (>= 3.0) from:
       https://launchpad.net/byobu/+download
  2) Extract:
diff --git a/debian/changelog b/debian/changelog
index a028739c..f1dede20 100644
--- a/debian/changelog
+++ b/debian/changelog
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@ byobu (4.43) unreleased; urgency=low
   [ Daniel Hahler ]
   * usr/bin/byobu, usr/bin/byobu-launcher-install, usr/bin/byobu-
     launcher-uninstall: Use BYOBU_PREFIX explicitly, LP: #861302
+  * debian/rules, README: LP: #854868
+    - refactor autoconf into debian/rules
 
   [Scott Moser]
   * usr/lib/byobu/.shutil: fix rounding error in fpdiv, LP: #869282
diff --git a/debian/rules b/debian/rules
index 174fe8eb..054252b6 100755
--- a/debian/rules
+++ b/debian/rules
@@ -22,12 +22,14 @@ update-pot:
 		msgmerge $${po} po/${PKG}.pot -o $${po} ; \
 	done
 
-prebuild: clean
+autoconf: clean
 	dh_testdir
 	cp debian/changelog ChangeLog
 	aclocal
-	automake --add-missing
+	automake --add-missing --copy
 	autoconf
+
+prebuild: autoconf
 	./configure --prefix=/usr
 
 build: prebuild