diff --git a/boottools/apt.py b/boottools/apt.py
index 7fe0656..d50f6dd 100644
--- a/boottools/apt.py
+++ b/boottools/apt.py
@@ -58,8 +58,30 @@ def cache_search (pkgs):
     return res
 
 def install (pkgs, opts={}):
-    opts_list = []
-    for k in opts: opts_list += ['-o', f'{k}={opts[k]}']
-    print ('about to install these packages: "{}"'.format (' '.join (pkgs)))
-    import subprocess
-    subprocess.run (['apt-get', '--yes', 'install'] + pkgs + opts_list)
+    apt_pkg.init()
+
+    if opts:
+        apt_pkg.init_config()
+        for k in opts:
+            apt_pkg.config.set (k, opts[k])
+
+    cache = apt_pkg.Cache()
+    sl = apt_pkg.SourceList()
+    sl.read_main_list()
+    cache.update (apt.progress.base.AcquireProgress(), sl)
+
+    _to_install = []
+    dep_cache = apt_pkg.DepCache(cache)
+    for p in pkgs:
+        package = cache[p]
+        if not package:
+            print (f'package "{p}" not found')
+            continue
+        _to_install.append (p)
+        dep_cache.mark_install(package)
+
+    if _to_install:
+        print ('about to install these packages: "{}"'.format (' '.join (_to_install)))
+        fetcher = apt_pkg.Acquire()
+        install_progress = apt.progress.base.InstallProgress()
+        dep_cache.commit(fetcher, install_progress)