diff --git a/nixos/modules/system/boot/systemd.nix b/nixos/modules/system/boot/systemd.nix
index 0ed3c083f7c..56e21e82439 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/system/boot/systemd.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/system/boot/systemd.nix
@@ -753,7 +753,8 @@ in
 
         # Keep a persistent journal. Note that systemd-tmpfiles will
         # set proper ownership/permissions.
-        mkdir -m 0700 -p /var/log/journal
+        # FIXME: revert to 0700 with systemd v233.
+        mkdir -m 0750 -p /var/log/journal
       '';
 
     users.extraUsers.systemd-network.uid = config.ids.uids.systemd-network;