diff --git a/plugins/Debian.py b/plugins/Debian.py
index c9750522e..26a91feca 100644
--- a/plugins/Debian.py
+++ b/plugins/Debian.py
@@ -67,7 +67,9 @@ def configure(advanced):
                       to run the file command.  I'll disable this command
                       now.  When you get zgrep in your path, use the command
                       'enable Debian.file' to re-enable the command.""")
-            conf.supybot.defaultCapabilities().add('-Debian.file')
+            capabilities = conf.supybot.capabilities()
+            capabilities.add('-Debian.file')
+            conf.supybot.capabilities.set(capabilities)
         else:
             output("""I can't find zgrep in your path.  If you want to run
                       the file command with any sort of expediency, you'll
@@ -78,7 +80,9 @@ def configure(advanced):
                 conf.supybot.plugins.Debian.pythonZgrep.setValue(True)
             else:
                 output('I\'ll disable file now.')
-                conf.supybot.defaultCapabilities().add('-Debian.file')
+                capabilities = conf.supybot.capabilities()
+                capabilities.add('-Debian.file')
+                conf.supybot.capabilities.set(capabilities)
 
 conf.registerPlugin('Debian')
 conf.registerGlobalValue(conf.supybot.plugins.Debian, 'pythonZgrep',
diff --git a/plugins/Unix.py b/plugins/Unix.py
index 9c438bb52..873b63a60 100644
--- a/plugins/Unix.py
+++ b/plugins/Unix.py
@@ -66,28 +66,36 @@ def configure(advanced):
                   function of this module will not work.  You may choose to
                   install it later.  To re-enable the command then, give the
                   bot the command 'enable Unix.spell'.""")
-        conf.supybot.defaultCapabilities().add('-Unix.spell')
+        capabilities = conf.supybot.capabilities()
+        capabilities.add('-Unix.spell')
+        conf.supybot.capabilities.setValue(capabilities)
     fortuneCmd = utils.findBinaryInPath('fortune')
     if not fortuneCmd:
         output("""NOTE: I couldn't find fortune in your path, so that function
                   of this module will not work.  You may choose to install it
                   later.  To re-enable this command then, give the bot the
                   command 'enable Unix.fortune'.""")
-        conf.supybot.defaultCapabilities().add('-Unix.fortune')
+        capabilities = conf.supybot.capabilities()
+        capabilities.add('-Unix.fortune')
+        conf.supybot.capabilities.setValue(capabilities)
     wtfCmd = utils.findBinaryInPath('wtf')
     if not wtfCmd:
         output("""NOTE: I couldn't find wtf in your path, so that function of
                   this module won't work.  You may choose to install it later;
                   to re-enable this command then, give the bot the command
                   'enable Unix.wtf'.""")
-        conf.supybot.defaultCapabilities().add('-Unix.wtf')
+        capabilities = conf.supybot.capabilities()
+        capabilities.add('-Unix.wtf')
+        conf.supybot.capabilities.setValue(capabilities)
     output("""The "progstats" command can reveal potentially sensitive
               information about your machine. Here's an example of its output:
 
               %s\n""" % progstats())
     if yn('Would you like to disable this command for non-owner users?',
           default=True):
-        conf.supybot.defaultCapabilities().add('-Unix.progstats')
+        capabilities = conf.supybot.capabilities()
+        capabilities.add('-Unix.progstats')
+        conf.supybot.capabilities.setValue(capabilities)
 
 def progstats():
     pw = pwd.getpwuid(os.getuid())