diff --git a/gnu/services/networking.scm b/gnu/services/networking.scm
index 5657b141d9..e2f6e6c0ca 100644
--- a/gnu/services/networking.scm
+++ b/gnu/services/networking.scm
@@ -1709,6 +1709,7 @@ (define (openvswitch-shepherd-service config)
          (ovs-vswitchd (file-append package "/sbin/ovs-vswitchd")))
     (list (shepherd-service
            (provision '(ovsdb))
+           (requirement '(user-processes))
            (documentation "Run the Open vSwitch database server.")
            (start #~(make-forkexec-constructor
                      (list #$ovsdb-server "--pidfile"