diff --git a/debian/debian-essentials.sh b/debian/debian-essentials.sh
index 30276a5..fbb4645 100755
--- a/debian/debian-essentials.sh
+++ b/debian/debian-essentials.sh
@@ -123,6 +123,15 @@ cp /etc/inputrc.default /etc/inputrc
 echo "" >> /etc/inputrc
 echo "set completion-ignore-case On" >> /etc/inputrc
 
+# set nano preferences
+if [[ ! -f /etc/nanorc.default ]]
+    then wget -qO /etc/nanorc.default http://192.168.1.50/files/debian/nanorc.default
+fi
+rm /etc/nanorc > /dev/null 2>&1
+cp /etc/nanorc.default /etc/nanorc
+echo "" >> /etc/nanorc
+echo "set constantshow" >> /etc/nanorc
+
 # set bash preferences and aliases
 if [[ ! -f /etc/bash.bashrc.default ]]
     then wget -qO /etc/bash.bashrc.default http://192.168.1.50/files/debian/bash.bashrc.default