diff --git a/nixos/modules/services/networking/nomad.nix b/nixos/modules/services/networking/nomad.nix
index dafdae0c327..04f15fe1366 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/services/networking/nomad.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/services/networking/nomad.nix
@@ -135,6 +135,13 @@ in
       };
     };
 
+    assertions = [
+      {
+        assertion = cfg.dropPrivileges -> cfg.settings.data_dir == "/var/lib/nomad";
+        message = "settings.data_dir must be equal to \"/var/lib/nomad\" if dropPrivileges is true";
+      }
+    ];
+
     # Docker support requires the Docker daemon to be running.
     virtualisation.docker.enable = mkIf cfg.enableDocker true;
   };