diff --git a/files/smartmontools b/files/smartmontools
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..70b3cdc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/files/smartmontools
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# Defaults for smartmontools initscript (/etc/init.d/smartmontools)
+# This is a POSIX shell fragment
+
+# List of devices you want to explicitly enable S.M.A.R.T. for
+# Not needed (and not recommended) if the device is monitored by smartd
+#enable_smart="/dev/hda /dev/hdb"
+
+# uncomment to start smartd on system startup
+#start_smartd=yes
+
+# uncomment to pass additional options to smartd on startup
+#smartd_opts="--interval=1800"
+smartd_opts="-q never"
diff --git a/tasks/main.yml b/tasks/main.yml
index 22397cb..a1de87e 100644
--- a/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/tasks/main.yml
@@ -20,3 +20,9 @@
     src: dotfiles/screenrc
     dest: /etc/screenrc
     mode: 0644
+
+- name: work around a debian bug in smartmontools
+  copy:
+    src: smartmontools
+    dest: /etc/default/smartmontools
+    mode: 0644