diff --git a/debian/preinst b/debian/preinst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f058d9f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/debian/preinst
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+set -e
+#
+# Prevent installation if systemd is the active init.
+#
+if [ -d /run/systemd/system ]; then
+    echo "systemd is the active init system, ${DPKG_MAINTSCRIPT_PACKAGE} cannot replace or provide real systemd functionality."
+    exit 1
+fi
+#DEBHELPER#