diff --git a/debian/changelog b/debian/changelog
index 022f60cb..feac151e 100644
--- a/debian/changelog
+++ b/debian/changelog
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 byobu (5.114) unreleased; urgency=medium
 
-  * UNRELEASED
+  * usr/bin/purge-old-kernels:
+    - use apt-get, rather than apt, for compatibility with trusty/precise apt
 
  -- Dustin Kirkland <kirkland@ubuntu.com>  Wed, 07 Dec 2016 08:18:12 -0600
 
diff --git a/usr/bin/purge-old-kernels b/usr/bin/purge-old-kernels
index 8fd6c271..2d999c58 100755
--- a/usr/bin/purge-old-kernels
+++ b/usr/bin/purge-old-kernels
@@ -65,5 +65,6 @@ if [ -z "$PURGE" ]; then
 	exit 0
 fi
 
-apt $APT_OPTS remove --purge $PURGE
-apt $APT_OPTS autoremove --purge
+# Use apt-get, rather than apt, for compatibility with precise/trusty
+apt-get $APT_OPTS remove --purge $PURGE
+apt-get $APT_OPTS autoremove --purge