diff --git a/definitions/.ubuntu/update.sh b/definitions/.ubuntu/update.sh
index e7829d6f9..80e8dd3f9 100644
--- a/definitions/.ubuntu/update.sh
+++ b/definitions/.ubuntu/update.sh
@@ -5,3 +5,11 @@ apt-get -y upgrade
 
 # ensure the correct kernel headers are installed
 apt-get -y install linux-headers-$(uname -r)
+
+# update package index on boot
+cat <<EOF > /etc/init/refresh-apt.conf
+description "update package index"
+start on networking
+task
+exec /usr/bin/apt-get update
+EOF