diff --git a/nixos/tests/systemd-shutdown.nix b/nixos/tests/systemd-shutdown.nix
index 688cd6dd2c1..dad8167f198 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/systemd-shutdown.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/systemd-shutdown.nix
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ in {
     systemd.shutdownRamfs.contents."/etc/systemd/system-shutdown/shutdown-message".source = pkgs.writeShellScript "shutdown-message" ''
       echo "${msg}"
     '';
+    boot.initrd.systemd.enable = systemdStage1;
   };
 
   testScript = ''