diff --git a/rattail_fabric2/apt.py b/rattail_fabric2/apt.py
index cb1b932..e685c5a 100644
--- a/rattail_fabric2/apt.py
+++ b/rattail_fabric2/apt.py
@@ -113,6 +113,9 @@ def install_emacs(c):
             emacs = 'emacs23-nox'
 
     install(c, emacs,
-            'emacs-common-non-dfsg', # nb. includes tramp manual
             'emacs-goodies-el',
             )
+
+    # nb. this includes tramp manual
+    if c.sudo('dpkg -s emacs-common-non-dfsg', warn=True).ok:
+        install(c, 'emacs-common-non-dfsg')