diff --git a/tools/appliance/definitions/systemvmtemplate/apt_upgrade.sh b/tools/appliance/definitions/systemvmtemplate/apt_upgrade.sh
index af5f51b1a76..4138e6f0238 100644
--- a/tools/appliance/definitions/systemvmtemplate/apt_upgrade.sh
+++ b/tools/appliance/definitions/systemvmtemplate/apt_upgrade.sh
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ function apt_upgrade() {
 
   add_backports
 
+  apt-get clean
   apt-get -q -y --force-yes update
   apt-get -q -y --force-yes upgrade
 }