diff --git a/guix/scripts/system.scm b/guix/scripts/system.scm
index be726e2125..10bf7e0c96 100644
--- a/guix/scripts/system.scm
+++ b/guix/scripts/system.scm
@@ -287,7 +287,8 @@ (define* (perform-action action os
             ((reconfigure)
              (mlet %store-monad ((% (switch-to-system os)))
                (when grub?
-                 (unless (install-grub grub.cfg device target)
+                 (unless (false-if-exception
+                          (install-grub grub.cfg device "/"))
                    (leave (_ "failed to install GRUB on device '~a'~%")
                           device)))
                (return #t)))