diff --git a/debian/postinst b/debian/postinst
index e6a1f2412..5f4643b4d 100755
--- a/debian/postinst
+++ b/debian/postinst
@@ -100,12 +100,18 @@ case "$1" in
       exit 0
     fi
 
-    db_get "dokku/vhost_enable"
-    if [ "$RET" = "true" ]; then
-        db_get "dokku/hostname"
-        echo "$RET" > "${DOKKU_ROOT}/VHOST"
+    if [ -f "${DOKKU_ROOT}/VHOST" ]; then
+      echo "VHOST file detected, skipping modification"
     else
-        rm -f "${DOKKU_ROOT}/VHOST"
+      db_get "dokku/vhost_enable"
+      if [ "$RET" = "true" ]; then
+          db_get "dokku/hostname"
+          echo "Setting VHOST contents to $RET"
+          echo "$RET" > "${DOKKU_ROOT}/VHOST"
+      else
+          echo "VHOST disabled via debconf, removing"
+          rm -f "${DOKKU_ROOT}/VHOST"
+      fi
     fi
 
     db_get "dokku/hostname"