diff --git a/nixos/modules/virtualisation/vm-base.nix b/nixos/modules/virtualisation/vm-base.nix
index 746e344046c0..0670a83baabd 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/virtualisation/vm-base.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/virtualisation/vm-base.nix
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ in
     systemd.services.register-nix-paths = lib.mkIf config.nix.enable {
       # Runs early so the store DB is populated first; `--load-db` needs no daemon.
       unitConfig.DefaultDependencies = false;
-      wantedBy = [ "sysinit.target" ];
+      requiredBy = [ "sysinit.target" ];
       before = [
         "sysinit.target"
         "shutdown.target"