diff --git a/gnu/services/virtualization.scm b/gnu/services/virtualization.scm
index 880557915c..506f5a7ab6 100644
--- a/gnu/services/virtualization.scm
+++ b/gnu/services/virtualization.scm
@@ -478,6 +478,7 @@ (define (libvirt-shepherd-service config)
     (list (shepherd-service
            (documentation "Run the libvirt daemon.")
            (provision '(libvirtd))
+           (requirement '(dbus-system))
            (start #~(make-forkexec-constructor
                      (list (string-append #$libvirt "/sbin/libvirtd")
                            "-f" #$config-file