diff --git a/nixos/modules/services/x11/xserver.nix b/nixos/modules/services/x11/xserver.nix
index 35bd4dabb67..4dde4476d2c 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/services/x11/xserver.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/services/x11/xserver.nix
@@ -666,6 +666,7 @@ in
     # The default max inotify watches is 8192.
     # Nowadays most apps require a good number of inotify watches,
     # the value below is used by default on several other distros.
+    boot.kernel.sysctl."fs.inotify.max_user_instances" = mkDefault 524288;
     boot.kernel.sysctl."fs.inotify.max_user_watches" = mkDefault 524288;
 
     systemd.defaultUnit = mkIf cfg.autorun "graphical.target";