diff --git a/lib/functions/rootfs/distro-specific.sh b/lib/functions/rootfs/distro-specific.sh
index 49e5e061e..96dbf1003 100644
--- a/lib/functions/rootfs/distro-specific.sh
+++ b/lib/functions/rootfs/distro-specific.sh
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ function install_distribution_specific() {
 
 	# install our base-files package (this replaces the original from Debian/Ubuntu)
 	if [[ "${KEEP_ORIGINAL_OS_RELEASE:-"no"}" != "yes" ]]; then
-		install_artifact_deb_chroot "armbian-base-files"
+		install_artifact_deb_chroot "armbian-base-files" "--allow-downgrades"
 	fi
 
 	# Set DNS server if systemd-resolved is in use