diff --git a/debian/control b/debian/control
index 8d6cd0971d..34ea2963c1 100644
--- a/debian/control
+++ b/debian/control
@@ -9,12 +9,13 @@ X-Python3-Version: >= 3.5
 
 Package: securedrop-client
 Architecture: all
-Depends: ${python3:Depends},${misc:Depends}, python3-pyqt5, python3-pyqt5.qtsvg, apparmor-utils
+Depends: ${python3:Depends},${misc:Depends}, python3-pyqt5, python3-pyqt5.qtsvg, apparmor-utils, desktop-file-utils
 Description: securedrop client for qubes workstation
 
 Package: securedrop-export
 Architecture: all
-Depends: ${python3:Depends}, ${misc:Depends}, cryptsetup, cups, printer-driver-brlaser, printer-driver-hpcups, system-config-printer, xpp, libcups2-dev, python3-dev, libtool-bin, unoconv, gnome-disk-utility
+Depends: ${python3:Depends}, ${misc:Depends}, cryptsetup, cups, printer-driver-brlaser, printer-driver-hpcups, system-config-printer, xpp, libcups2, unoconv, gnome-disk-utility,
+ desktop-file-utils, shared-mime-info
 Description: Submission export scripts for SecureDrop Workstation
  This package provides scripts used by the SecureDrop Qubes Workstation to
  export submissions from the client to external storage, via the sd-export
diff --git a/debian/securedrop-export.postrm b/debian/securedrop-export.postrm
index 0753737d16..4f3c377d3e 100644
--- a/debian/securedrop-export.postrm
+++ b/debian/securedrop-export.postrm
@@ -22,8 +22,14 @@ set -e
 case "$1" in
     purge|remove|upgrade|failed-upgrade|abort-install|abort-upgrade|disappear)
 
-    update-desktop-database /usr/share/applications
-    update-mime-database /usr/share/mime
+    # There is no guarantees dependencies are available in postrm, so
+    # conditionally issue these updates.
+    if [[ -x "/usr/bin/update-desktop-database" ]]; then
+        update-desktop-database /usr/share/applications
+    fi
+    if [[ -x "/usr/bin/update-mime-database" ]]; then
+        update-mime-database /usr/share/mime
+    fi
     ;;
 
     *)