diff --git a/debian/changelog b/debian/changelog
index 726b56cc..3a7fc7a4 100644
--- a/debian/changelog
+++ b/debian/changelog
@@ -10,6 +10,9 @@ byobu (5.46) unreleased; urgency=low
   * usr/lib/byobu/include/common: LP: #1180427
     - handle zsh's interpretation of "command -v", let it fall through
       to use 'type' for BYOBU_TEST
+  * usr/bin/byobu-config: LP: #1177997
+    - use decimal for os.makedirs() permission for compatibility
+      with older+newer python versions
 
  -- Dustin Kirkland <kirkland@ubuntu.com>  Mon, 15 Jul 2013 15:52:56 -0500
 
diff --git a/usr/bin/byobu-config b/usr/bin/byobu-config
index eacb9cc6..02a5195f 100755
--- a/usr/bin/byobu-config
+++ b/usr/bin/byobu-config
@@ -83,7 +83,9 @@ def ioctl_GWINSZ(fd):
 def reload_required():
 	try:
 		if not os.path.exists(BYOBU_CONFIG_DIR):
-			os.makedirs(BYOBU_CONFIG_DIR, 0o755)
+			# 493 (decimal) is 0755 (octal)
+			# Use decimal for portability across all python versions
+			os.makedirs(BYOBU_CONFIG_DIR, 493)
 		f = open(RELOAD_FLAG, 'w')
 		f.close()
 		if BYOBU_BACKEND == "screen":