diff --git a/library/apt b/library/apt
index 01cab4bff3e..bd47037446f 100644
--- a/library/apt
+++ b/library/apt
@@ -154,15 +154,18 @@ def install(m, pkgspec, cache, upgrade=False, default_release=None, install_reco
         else:
             force_yes = ''
 
-        cmd = "%s --option Dpkg::Options::=--force-confold -q -y %s install %s" % (APT_GET_CMD, force_yes, packages)
+        if m.check_mode:
+            check_arg = '--simulate'
+        else:
+            check_arg = ''
+
+        cmd = "%s %s -y %s %s %s install %s" % (APT_ENVVARS, APT_GET_CMD, DPKG_OPTIONS, force_yes, check_arg, packages)
+
         if default_release:
             cmd += " -t '%s'" % (default_release,)
         if not install_recommends:
             cmd += " --no-install-recommends"
 
-        if m.check_mode:
-            m.exit_json(changed=True)
-
         rc, out, err = m.run_command(cmd)
         if rc:
             m.fail_json(msg="'apt-get install %s' failed: %s" % (packages, err))