diff --git a/debi.sh b/debi.sh
index e8ba3cd..4da24d1 100755
--- a/debi.sh
+++ b/debi.sh
@@ -317,7 +317,8 @@ if [ -z "$kernel" ]; then
         if [ "$suite" = sid ] || [ "$suite" = unstable ]; then
             err 'Backports kernel is not available for sid/unstable distribution'
         fi
-        kernel="$kernel/$suite-backports"
+        kernel=none
+        install="$kernel/$suite-backports $install"
     fi
 fi
 
@@ -570,6 +571,7 @@ $save_preseed << EOF
 d-i base-installer/kernel/image string $kernel
 EOF
 
+[ "$kernel" = none ] && echo 'd-i base-installer/kernel/skip-install boolean true' | $save_preseed
 [ "$install_recommends" = false ] && echo "d-i base-installer/install-recommends boolean $install_recommends" | $save_preseed
 
 [ "$security_repository" = mirror ] && security_repository=$mirror_protocol://$mirror_host${mirror_directory%/*}/debian-security