diff --git a/nixos/modules/system/boot/loader/grub/install-grub.pl b/nixos/modules/system/boot/loader/grub/install-grub.pl
index 2ef1fca19835..81009e9fb821 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/system/boot/loader/grub/install-grub.pl
+++ b/nixos/modules/system/boot/loader/grub/install-grub.pl
@@ -468,8 +468,8 @@ sub getEfiTarget {
         if ($grubTargetEfi eq "") { die }
         else {return "only" }
     } else {
-        # at least one grub target has to be given
-        die
+        # prevent an installation if neither grub nor grubEfi is given
+        return "neither"
     }
 }