diff --git a/src/xdgmenumaker b/src/xdgmenumaker
index 67ade6e..47f1847 100755
--- a/src/xdgmenumaker
+++ b/src/xdgmenumaker
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python
 
 import os
+import os.path
 import sys
 import getopt
 import gtk
@@ -13,6 +14,12 @@ seticon = False
 desktop = False
 submenu = True
 
+# use debians alternative system if available
+if os.path.exists('/etc/alternatives/x-terminal-emulator'):
+	terminal = 'x-terminal-emulator'
+else:
+	terminal = 'xterm'
+
 de = dentry.DesktopEntry(filename = '/usr/share/desktop-directories/xdgmenumaker-applications.directory')
 applications = de.getName().encode('utf-8')
 applications_icon = de.getIcon()
@@ -155,9 +162,9 @@ def get_entry_info(desktopfile):
 	if depath:
 		    command = 'cd %s && %s' % (depath, command)
 
-	terminal = de.getTerminal()
-	if terminal is True:
-		command = 'xterm -e '+command
+	use_terminal = de.getTerminal()
+	if use_terminal is True:
+		command = '%s -e %s' % (terminal, command)
 	
 	# cleaning up categories and keeping only registered freedesktop.org main categories
 	categories = de.getCategories()