diff --git a/debian/changelog b/debian/changelog
index 0ba5e57c7..e8df96e28 100644
--- a/debian/changelog
+++ b/debian/changelog
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ linux-2.6 (3.0.0~rc7-1~experimental.1) UNRELEASED; urgency=low
     - Slovak (Slavko)
   * [x86] comedi: Enable the same drivers as in stable (squeeze), except
     for ISA drivers on amd64 (Closes: #633516)
+  * Reduce required initramfs-tools version to 0.99~, to ease backporting
 
   [ Arnaud Patard ]
   * Merge ixp4xx build fix and enable ixp4xx back
diff --git a/debian/config/defines b/debian/config/defines
index 9f65ad3e9..bc12be741 100644
--- a/debian/config/defines
+++ b/debian/config/defines
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ gcc-4.5: gcc-4.5
 
 # initramfs-generators
 initramfs-fallback: linux-initramfs-tool
-initramfs-tools: initramfs-tools (>= 0.99)
+initramfs-tools: initramfs-tools (>= 0.99~)
 
 # bootloaders
 elilo: elilo (>= 3.12-3.1~)