diff --git a/common.nix b/common.nix
index 35a2b44..bd60c27 100644
--- a/common.nix
+++ b/common.nix
@@ -126,6 +126,9 @@ in
       # systemd timers
       { directory = "/var/lib/systemd/timers"; user = "root"; group = "root"; mode = "u=rwx,g=rx,o=rx"; }
 
+      # alsa state for persistent sound settings
+      { directory = "/var/lib/alsa"; user = "root"; group = "root"; mode = "u=rwx,g=rx,o=rx"; }
+
       # nix tmp dir for rebuilds, don't fill our tmpfs root with that
       { directory = "/var/cache/nix"; user = "root"; group = "root"; mode = "u=rwx,g=rx,o=rx"; }