diff --git a/debian/changelog b/debian/changelog
index 29cd0007..b342020d 100644
--- a/debian/changelog
+++ b/debian/changelog
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ kali-themes (2019.4.9) kali-experimental; urgency=medium
   * Configure gdm to display our logo
   * Move plymouth theme setting to kali-themes
   * Always add the missing diversions on upgrade
+  * Add empty directories to kali-desktop-base so that update-alternatives can
+    create symlinks in them.
 
   [ Daniel Ruiz de Alegría ]
   * Fix light variant qterminal theme
diff --git a/debian/kali-desktop-base.dirs b/debian/kali-desktop-base.dirs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..48acebfc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/debian/kali-desktop-base.dirs
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+/usr/share/desktop-base
+/usr/share/icons/vendor/128x128/emblems
+/usr/share/icons/vendor/256x256/emblems
+/usr/share/icons/vendor/64x64/emblems
+/usr/share/icons/vendor/scalable/emblems
+/usr/share/images/desktop-base
+/usr/share/wallpapers