diff --git a/debian/control.in b/debian/control.in
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..685b169
--- /dev/null
+++ b/debian/control.in
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+Source: desktop-base
+Section: x11
+Priority: optional
+Maintainer: Gustavo Noronha Silva <kov@debian.org>
+Build-Depends-Indep: cdbs, debhelper (>> 4.0.0)
+Standards-Version: 3.6.1
+
+Package: desktop-base
+Architecture: all
+Recommends: epiphany-browser | konqueror | www-browser
+Suggests: gnome | kde | wmaker
+Description: common files for the Debian Desktop
+ This package contains various miscellaneous files which are used by
+ Debian Desktop installations.  Currently, it provides some
+ Debian-related artwork and themes, .desktop files containing links to
+ Debian related material (suitable for placement on a user's desktop),
+ and other common files between the available desktop environments
+ such as GNOME and KDE.