diff --git a/nixos/modules/programs/environment.nix b/nixos/modules/programs/environment.nix
index 4d762314298..66eb8348266 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/programs/environment.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/programs/environment.nix
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ in
         PAGER = mkDefault "less -R";
         EDITOR = mkDefault "nano";
         XCURSOR_PATH = [ "$HOME/.icons" ];
+        XDG_CONFIG_DIRS = [ "/etc/xdg" ]; # needs to be before profile-relative paths to allow changes through environment.etc
       };
 
     environment.profiles = mkAfter