diff --git a/nixos/modules/system/activation/top-level.nix b/nixos/modules/system/activation/top-level.nix
index 9797ef641e4f..254e9266e89e 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/system/activation/top-level.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/system/activation/top-level.nix
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ let
 
       inherit (pkgs) utillinux coreutils;
       systemd = config.systemd.package;
-      inherit (pkgs.stdenv) shell;
+      shell = "${pkgs.bash}/bin/sh";
 
       inherit children;
       kernelParams = config.boot.kernelParams;