diff --git a/modules/tasks/tty-backgrounds.nix b/modules/tasks/tty-backgrounds.nix
index b77c6b9acf7..e64bc523945 100644
--- a/modules/tasks/tty-backgrounds.nix
+++ b/modules/tasks/tty-backgrounds.nix
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ in
   ###### implementation
 
   config = mkIf config.services.ttyBackgrounds.enable (
-  mkAssert (kernelPackages.splashutils != null) "
+  mkAssert (splashutils != null) "
     The kernelPackages does not provide splashutils, as required by ttyBackgrounds.
     Either provide kernelPackages with splashutils, or disable ttyBackgrounds.
   " {