diff --git a/evolinux-base/.z_kitchen.yml b/evolinux-base/.z_kitchen.yml
index ebaf655c..ccbd17f8 100644
--- a/evolinux-base/.z_kitchen.yml
+++ b/evolinux-base/.z_kitchen.yml
@@ -3,6 +3,9 @@ driver:
   name: docker
   privileged: true
   use_sudo: false
+  # important if you need to interact with systemd
+  # otherwise a barebone ssh server is the main process
+  run_command: /sbin/init
 
 provisioner:
   name: ansible_playbook
@@ -16,6 +19,9 @@ provisioner:
 
 platforms:
   - name: debian-8
+    driver_config:
+      image: debian:jessie
+      platform: debian
 
 verifier:
   name: serverspec