After upgrading init to version 1.20ubuntu3 I'm seeing that it is not essential anymore.
** Changed in: init-system-helpers (Ubuntu) Status: New => Fix Released -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Server Team, which is subscribed to init-system-helpers in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1350037 Title: init gets installed on "apt-get dist-upgrade" To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/init-system-helpers/+bug/1350037/+subscriptions -- Ubuntu-server-bugs mailing list Ubuntu-server-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com Modify settings or unsubscribe at: https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-server-bugs