diff --git a/gnu/system/dmd.scm b/gnu/system/dmd.scm
index aec7d03759..307412a5d5 100644
--- a/gnu/system/dmd.scm
+++ b/gnu/system/dmd.scm
@@ -305,6 +305,7 @@ (define config
                               (not (member file '("." ".."))))))
 
          ;; Prevent ETC from being GC'd.
+         (rm-f "/var/nix/gcroots/etc-directory")
          (symlink ,etc "/var/nix/gcroots/etc-directory"))
 
        (format #t "starting services...~%")