diff --git a/debian/alternc.postinst b/debian/alternc.postinst
index 9b4d2541..e02244f9 100644
--- a/debian/alternc.postinst
+++ b/debian/alternc.postinst
@@ -275,6 +275,9 @@ esac
 
 #DEBHELPER#
 
+# important: postrm freezes withtout that:
+db_stop
+
 exit 0
 
 # vim: et sw=4
diff --git a/debian/alternc.postrm b/debian/alternc.postrm
index 44d2d30d..d1a766dd 100644
--- a/debian/alternc.postrm
+++ b/debian/alternc.postrm
@@ -86,6 +86,9 @@ esac
 
 #DEBHELPER#
 
+# important: postrm freezes withtout that:
+db_stop
+
 exit 0
 
 # vim: et sw=4