diff --git a/modules/system/upstart/upstart.nix b/modules/system/upstart/upstart.nix
index e0c0f0bb99f..b3a6c0b1c9e 100644
--- a/modules/system/upstart/upstart.nix
+++ b/modules/system/upstart/upstart.nix
@@ -59,7 +59,10 @@ let
               ''
             else if job.exec != "" then
               ''
-                exec ${job.exec} >> ${log} 2>&1
+                script
+                  exec >> ${log} 2>&1
+                  exec ${job.exec}
+                end script
               ''
             else ""
           }