diff --git a/docker-compose.jambotron.yml b/docker-compose.jambotron.yml
index 73faa89..b60db51 100644
--- a/docker-compose.jambotron.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.jambotron.yml
@@ -23,7 +23,9 @@ services:
       - secrets:/secrets
 
   db:
-    image: postgres:17-alpine
+    # Debian, not -alpine: on Jambotron staging VMs (Alpine 3.24, kernel 6.18) the Alpine build of postgres
+    # dies with "Bus error" even on --version; the Debian build works (2026-11-05)
+    image: postgres:17
     restart: unless-stopped
     depends_on:
       secrets-init: