diff --git a/hardware/base.nix b/hardware/base.nix
index 866b36e..591b032 100644
--- a/hardware/base.nix
+++ b/hardware/base.nix
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
   boot.initrd.systemd.enable = true;
 
   # prevents `systemd-vconsole-setup` failing during systemd initrd
+  console.earlySetup = true;
   systemd.services.systemd-vconsole-setup.unitConfig.After = "local-fs.target";
 
   services.smartd.enable = true;