diff --git a/tljh/apt.py b/tljh/apt.py
index b155124..49be946 100644
--- a/tljh/apt.py
+++ b/tljh/apt.py
@@ -39,6 +39,9 @@ def install_packages(packages):
     """
     Install debian packages
     """
+    # Check if an apt-get update is required
+    if len(os.listdir('/var/lib/apt/lists')) == 0:
+        subprocess.check_output(['apt-get', 'update', '--yes'])
     subprocess.check_output([
         'apt-get',
         'install',