diff --git a/common.nix b/common.nix
index 20a7d77..36f7483 100644
--- a/common.nix
+++ b/common.nix
@@ -38,6 +38,9 @@ in
   # we want to be able to do a memtest
   boot.loader.systemd-boot.memtest86.enable = true;
 
+  # use systemd early
+  boot.initrd.systemd.enable = true;
+
   # setup the console stuff early
   console.earlySetup = true;