diff --git a/gnu/system.scm b/gnu/system.scm
index ce574d8c51..88b208277e 100644
--- a/gnu/system.scm
+++ b/gnu/system.scm
@@ -603,6 +603,17 @@ (define (hurd-default-essential-services os)
   (list (service system-service-type '())
         %boot-service
         %activation-service
+        %shepherd-root-service
+        (service user-processes-service-type)
+        (account-service (append (operating-system-accounts os)
+                                 (operating-system-groups os))
+                         (operating-system-skeletons os))
+        (root-file-system-service)
+        (service file-system-service-type '())
+        (service fstab-service-type
+                 (filter file-system-needed-for-boot?
+                         (operating-system-file-systems os)))
+        (pam-root-service (operating-system-pam-services os))
         (operating-system-etc-service os)
         (service profile-service-type (operating-system-packages os))))
 
diff --git a/gnu/system/hurd.scm b/gnu/system/hurd.scm
index e11055cbb8..956682357e 100644
--- a/gnu/system/hurd.scm
+++ b/gnu/system/hurd.scm
@@ -66,7 +66,23 @@ (define %base-packages/hurd
         net-base inetutils less shepherd which))
 
 (define %base-services/hurd
-  '())
+  (list (service hurd-console-service-type
+                 (hurd-console-configuration (hurd hurd)))
+        (service hurd-getty-service-type (hurd-getty-configuration
+                                          (tty "tty1")))
+        (service hurd-getty-service-type (hurd-getty-configuration
+                                          (tty "tty2")))
+        (service static-networking-service-type
+                 (list (static-networking (interface "lo")
+                                          (ip "127.0.0.1")
+                                          (requirement '())
+                                          (provision '(loopback))
+                                          (name-servers '("10.0.2.3")))))
+        (syslog-service)
+        (service guix-service-type
+                 (guix-configuration
+                  (extra-options '("--disable-chroot"
+                                   "--disable-deduplication"))))))
 
 (define %hurd-default-operating-system
   (operating-system