diff --git a/bridgehead b/bridgehead
index e1e1d0b..f18311a 100755
--- a/bridgehead
+++ b/bridgehead
@@ -58,15 +58,17 @@ if [ -f "$PROJECT/docker-compose.override.yml" ]; then
 	OVERRIDE+=" -f ./$PROJECT/docker-compose.override.yml"
 fi
 
+detectCompose
+
 case "$ACTION" in
 	start)
 		hc_send log "Bridgehead $PROJECT startup: Checking requirements ..."
 		checkRequirements
 		hc_send log "Bridgehead $PROJECT startup: Requirements checked out. Now starting bridgehead ..."
-		exec docker-compose -f ./$PROJECT/docker-compose.yml $OVERRIDE up --abort-on-container-exit
+		exec $COMPOSE -f ./$PROJECT/docker-compose.yml $OVERRIDE up --abort-on-container-exit
 		;;
 	stop)
-		exec docker-compose -f ./$PROJECT/docker-compose.yml $OVERRIDE down
+		exec $COMPOSE -f ./$PROJECT/docker-compose.yml $OVERRIDE down
 		;;
 	update)
 		exec ./lib/update-bridgehead.sh $PROJECT
diff --git a/lib/functions.sh b/lib/functions.sh
index e3df4ad..b5a03a0 100755
--- a/lib/functions.sh
+++ b/lib/functions.sh
@@ -2,6 +2,15 @@
 
 source lib/log.sh
 
+detectCompose() {
+	if [[ "$(docker compose version 2>/dev/null)" == *"Docker Compose version"* ]]; then
+		COMPOSE="docker compose"
+	else
+		COMPOSE="docker-compose"
+		# This is intended to fail on startup in the next prereq check.
+	fi
+}
+
 exitIfNotRoot() {
   if [ "$EUID" -ne 0 ]; then
     log "ERROR" "Please run as root"
diff --git a/lib/prerequisites.sh b/lib/prerequisites.sh
index 2738620..962c123 100755
--- a/lib/prerequisites.sh
+++ b/lib/prerequisites.sh
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 
 source lib/functions.sh
 
+detectCompose
+
 if ! id "bridgehead" &>/dev/null; then
   log ERROR "User bridgehead does not exist. Please consult readme for installation."
   exit 1
@@ -12,7 +14,7 @@ checkOwner /etc/bridgehead bridgehead || exit 1
 
 ## Check if user is a su
 log INFO "Checking if all prerequisites are met ..."
-prerequisites="git docker docker-compose"
+prerequisites="git docker $COMPOSE"
 for prerequisite in $prerequisites; do
   $prerequisite --version 2>&1
   is_available=$?