diff --git a/meta/classes/debianize.bbclass b/meta/classes/debianize.bbclass
index dad1cb48fa40..878aaca89543 100644
--- a/meta/classes/debianize.bbclass
+++ b/meta/classes/debianize.bbclass
@@ -89,7 +89,11 @@ deb_debianize() {
 	if [ -f ${WORKDIR}/compat ]; then
 		install -v -m 644 ${WORKDIR}/compat ${S}/debian/compat
 	else
-		deb_create_compat
+		# new style compat level could be in control
+		# do not create a compat file in that case
+		if ! grep "debhelper-compat" ${WORKDIR}/control; then
+			deb_create_compat
+		fi
 	fi
 	# create the control-file if there is no control-file in WORKDIR
 	if [ -f ${WORKDIR}/control ]; then