@@ -61,6 +61,9 @@ require_commands () {
   done
 }
 
+command_exists () {
+  type "$1" &> /dev/null ;
+}
 
 # ---- DebOps environment setup ----
 
@@ -150,9 +153,11 @@ valid_debops_controller=0
 hosts_file="${project}/${NEW_INVENTORY}/hosts"
 
 if [ $(uname) = "Linux" ]; then
-  distro=$(lsb_release -si)
-  if [ "${distro}" = "Debian" -o "${distro}" = "Ubuntu" ]; then
-    valid_debops_controller=1
+  if command_exists lsb_release ; then
+    distro=$(lsb_release -si)
+    if [ "${distro}" = "Debian" -o "${distro}" = "Ubuntu" ]; then
+      valid_debops_controller=1
+    fi
   fi
 fi
 