diff --git a/pandoc.cabal b/pandoc.cabal
index 352da4988..a3d0dfa83 100644
--- a/pandoc.cabal
+++ b/pandoc.cabal
@@ -121,6 +121,7 @@ Extra-Source-Files:
                  scripts/deemph.py,
                  scripts/myemph.py,
                  scripts/tikz.py,
+                 scripts/deflists.py,
                  -- tests
                  tests/bodybg.gif,
                  tests/docbook-reader.docbook
diff --git a/scripts/deflists.py b/scripts/deflists.py
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..502963419
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/deflists.py
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+
+"""
+Pandoc filter to convert definition lists to bullet
+lists with the defined terms in strong emphasis (for
+compatibility with standard markdown).
+"""
+
+from pandoc import toJSONFilter
+
+def deflists(key, value, format):
+  if key == 'DefinitionList':
+    return {'BulletList': [tobullet(t,d) for [t,d] in value]}
+
+def tobullet(term, defs):
+  return [{'Para': [{'Strong': term}]}] + [b for d in defs for b in d]
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+  toJSONFilter(deflists)