diff --git a/sysdep/pal-distro.mk b/sysdep/pal-distro.mk
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..704a55daef8f492be45da7e329ab94bc952614c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sysdep/pal-distro.mk
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+# robotpkg wip/pal-erbium
+# Created:			Olivier Stasse on Mon 11 2018
+#
+ifndef _paldistro_mk
+  _paldistro_mk:=defined
+  _paldistro:=$(shell ${SHELL} ${ROBOTPKG_DIR}/wip/sysdep/pal-distro.sh)
+  export PALDISTRO:=  $(word 1,${_paldistro})
+
+#ifeq (yes,$(call exists,${ROBOTPKG_DIR}/wip/sysdep/platform/${PALDISTRO}.mk))
+#  include ${ROBOTPKG_DIR}/wip/sysdep/platform/${PALDISTRO}.mk
+#else
+#  $(error missing wip/sysdep/platform/${PALDISTRO}.mk)
+#endif
+
+endif # ERBIUM_ROS_FLAVOR
diff --git a/sysdep/pal-distro.sh b/sysdep/pal-distro.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..2245ea3f4f483db3ee4d36e420ac1314085a9ee9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sysdep/pal-distro.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+#
+# Copyright (c) 2011,2013-2014,2018 LAAS/CNRS
+# All rights reserved.
+#
+# Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software for any purpose
+# with or without   fee is hereby granted, provided   that the above  copyright
+# notice and this permission notice appear in all copies.
+#
+# THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND THE AUTHOR DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES WITH
+# REGARD TO THIS  SOFTWARE INCLUDING ALL  IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY
+# AND FITNESS. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR  BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, DIRECT,
+# INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR  ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING  FROM
+# LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR
+# OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION,   ARISING OUT OF OR IN    CONNECTION WITH THE USE   OR
+# PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
+#
+#                                            Anthony Mallet on Fri Sep  9 2011
+#
+if test -f /opt/pal/erbium; then
+  echo "palerbium"
+  exit 0
+fi
+if test -f /opt/pal/dubnium; then
+  echo "paldubnium"
+  exit 0
+fi
+echo "Not found"
+exit 0
+