diff --git a/modules/systemd.nix b/modules/systemd.nix
index 7a27e95b..6abc2460 100644
--- a/modules/systemd.nix
+++ b/modules/systemd.nix
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ in {
     systemd.user = {
       systemctlPath = mkOption {
         default = "${pkgs.systemd}/bin/systemctl";
-        defaultText = "\${pkgs.systemd}/bin/systemctl";
+        defaultText = literalExpression ''"''${pkgs.systemd}/bin/systemctl"'';
         type = types.str;
         description = ''
           Absolute path to the <command>systemctl</command> tool. This