I found a solution to this (under ubuntu, but it should work also on debian)
First, check the java installed sudo update-alternatives --config java Selection Path Priority Status ------------------------------------------------------------ 0 /usr/lib/jvm/java-9-openjdk-amd64/bin/java 1091 auto mode * 1 /usr/lib/jvm/java-8-openjdk-amd64/jre/bin/java 1081 manual mode 2 /usr/lib/jvm/java-9-openjdk-amd64/bin/java 1091 manual mode Then, set the JAVA_HOME variable accordingly: export JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/jvm/java-8-openjdk-amd64/jre hdfview doesn't complains anymore
