diff --git a/ubuntu/ubuntu-essentials.sh b/ubuntu/ubuntu-essentials.sh
index a7e2dc1..dc5b670 100755
--- a/ubuntu/ubuntu-essentials.sh
+++ b/ubuntu/ubuntu-essentials.sh
@@ -6,6 +6,9 @@ if [ "$EUID" -ne 0 ]
   exit
 fi
 
+export TZ='America/Chicago'
+export DEBIAN_FRONTEND=noninteractive
+
 # disable restart prompt for services during an update
 if [[ ! -f /etc/needrestart/conf.d/no-prompt.conf ]] ; then
     echo "\$nrconf{restart} = 'a';" >> /etc/needrestart/conf.d/no-prompt.conf