diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index efef3b5..1fa450d 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -217,6 +217,11 @@ Following variables affect the versions installed:
 * ```es_start_service``` (true (default) or false)
 * ```es_plugins_reinstall``` (true or false (default) )
 * ```es_plugins``` (an array of plugin definitions e.g.:
+* ```es_allow_downgrades``` For development purposes only. (true or false (default) )
+* ```es_java_install``` If set to false, Java will not be installed. (true (default) or false)
+* ```update_java``` Updates Java to the latest version. (true or false (default))
+
+
 
 ```
   es_plugins:
diff --git a/defaults/main.yml b/defaults/main.yml
index d3c970d..451000f 100644
--- a/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/defaults/main.yml
@@ -21,4 +21,5 @@ es_log_dir: "/var/log/elasticsearch"
 es_work_dir: "/tmp/elasticsearch"
 es_plugin_dir: "/usr/share/elasticsearch/plugins"
 es_max_open_files: 65536
+es_allow_downgrades: false
 
diff --git a/tasks/elasticsearch-Debian.yml b/tasks/elasticsearch-Debian.yml
index 4311abb..dba5fa5 100644
--- a/tasks/elasticsearch-Debian.yml
+++ b/tasks/elasticsearch-Debian.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,10 @@
 ---
+
+- set_fact: force_install=no
+
+- set_fact: force_install=yes
+  when: es_allow_downgrades
+
 - name: Debian - Add Elasticsearch repository key
   apt_key: url="http://packages.elasticsearch.org/GPG-KEY-elasticsearch" state=present
   when: es_use_repository
@@ -8,7 +14,7 @@
   when: es_use_repository
 
 - name: Debian - Ensure elasticsearch is installed
-  apt: name=elasticsearch{% if es_version is defined and es_version != "" %}={{ es_version }}{% endif %} state=present cache_valid_time=86400
+  apt: name=elasticsearch{% if es_version is defined and es_version != "" %}={{ es_version }}{% endif %} state=present force={{force_install}} cache_valid_time=86400
   when: es_use_repository
   register: elasticsearch_install_from_repo