A filter for removing particulate from petroleum distillate fuels exhibiting improved resistance to plugging due to sludge formation during use is disclosed. The filter is a conventional fibrous, paper, sintered metal or sintered ceramic filter capable of removing at least 50 weight percent of the particulates from a petroleum distillate fuel. The filter medium has deposited thereon a substantially continuous coating which is comprised from 0 to 50 weight percent of a film forming amine and from 50 to 100 weight percent of a biodispersant. The film forming amine film is, preferably, N-(cocoalkyl)-1,3-propane diamine. The preferred biodispersants are the imidazolines of which 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2- octyldecyl-2-imidazoline is most preferred.