diff --git a/cdist/conf/type/__debconf_set_selections/parameter/deprecated/file b/cdist/conf/type/__debconf_set_selections/parameter/deprecated/file
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..09db545a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cdist/conf/type/__debconf_set_selections/parameter/deprecated/file
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+'file' has been deprecated in favour of 'line' in order to provide idempotency.
diff --git a/cdist/conf/type/__debconf_set_selections/parameter/deprecated b/cdist/conf/type/__debconf_set_selections/parameter/optional
similarity index 100%
rename from cdist/conf/type/__debconf_set_selections/parameter/deprecated
rename to cdist/conf/type/__debconf_set_selections/parameter/optional