diff --git a/nixos/modules/system/boot/stage-1-init.sh b/nixos/modules/system/boot/stage-1-init.sh
index 8f185217c3f..1e173f5ac7a 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/system/boot/stage-1-init.sh
+++ b/nixos/modules/system/boot/stage-1-init.sh
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ EOF
     read reply
 
     if [ -n "$allowShell" -a "$reply" = f ]; then
-        exec setsid @shell@ -c "@shell@ < /dev/$console >/dev/$console 2>/dev/$console"
+        exec setsid @shell@ -c "exec @shell@ < /dev/$console >/dev/$console 2>/dev/$console"
     elif [ -n "$allowShell" -a "$reply" = i ]; then
         echo "Starting interactive shell..."
         setsid @shell@ -c "@shell@ < /dev/$console >/dev/$console 2>/dev/$console" || fail