diff --git a/modules/services/scheduling/fcron.nix b/modules/services/scheduling/fcron.nix
index 632e57826d8..4521b3c5760 100644
--- a/modules/services/scheduling/fcron.nix
+++ b/modules/services/scheduling/fcron.nix
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ in
       };
       
       systab = mkOption {
-        default = systemCronJobs;
+        default = "";
         description = ''The "system" crontab contents.'';
       };
     };
@@ -73,6 +73,8 @@ in
 
   config = mkIf cfg.enable {
 
+    services.fcron.systab = systemCronJobs;
+
     environment.etc =
       [ (allowdeny "allow" (cfg.allow))
         (allowdeny "deny" cfg.deny)