diff --git a/nixos/modules/services/ttys/getty.nix b/nixos/modules/services/ttys/getty.nix
index aec65903cec..22ae9c27e5b 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/services/ttys/getty.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/services/ttys/getty.nix
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ in
         enable = mkDefault config.boot.isContainer;
       };
 
-    environment.etc.issue =
+    environment.etc.issue = mkDefault
       { # Friendly greeting on the virtual consoles.
         source = pkgs.writeText "issue" ''