diff --git a/doc/guix.texi b/doc/guix.texi
index 897675291e..28c9a9c0cf 100644
--- a/doc/guix.texi
+++ b/doc/guix.texi
@@ -6447,9 +6447,15 @@ gateway.
 @end deffn
 
 @cindex wicd
+@cindex network management
 @deffn {Scheme Procedure} wicd-service [#:wicd @var{wicd}]
-Return a service that runs @url{https://launchpad.net/wicd,Wicd}, a
-network manager that aims to simplify wired and wireless networking.
+Return a service that runs @url{https://launchpad.net/wicd,Wicd}, a network
+management daemon that aims to simplify wired and wireless networking.
+
+This service adds the @var{wicd} package to the global profile, providing
+several commands to interact with the daemon and configure networking:
+@command{wicd-client}, a graphical user interface, and the @command{wicd-cli}
+and @command{wicd-curses} user interfaces.
 @end deffn
 
 @deffn {Scheme Procedure} ntp-service [#:ntp @var{ntp}] @
diff --git a/gnu/services/networking.scm b/gnu/services/networking.scm
index d33ff4fc4a..8f67976b23 100644
--- a/gnu/services/networking.scm
+++ b/gnu/services/networking.scm
@@ -483,11 +483,19 @@ (define wicd-service-type
                        (service-extension dbus-root-service-type
                                           list)
                        (service-extension activation-service-type
-                                          (const %wicd-activation))))))
+                                          (const %wicd-activation))
+
+                       ;; Add Wicd to the global profile.
+                       (service-extension profile-service-type list)))))
 
 (define* (wicd-service #:key (wicd wicd))
   "Return a service that runs @url{https://launchpad.net/wicd,Wicd}, a network
-manager that aims to simplify wired and wireless networking."
+management daemon that aims to simplify wired and wireless networking.
+
+This service adds the @var{wicd} package to the global profile, providing
+several commands to interact with the daemon and configure networking:
+@command{wicd-client}, a graphical user interface, and the @command{wicd-cli}
+and @command{wicd-curses} user interfaces."
   (service wicd-service-type wicd))
 
 ;;; networking.scm ends here
diff --git a/gnu/system/examples/desktop.tmpl b/gnu/system/examples/desktop.tmpl
index 41f66f693a..0e26a7ec5e 100644
--- a/gnu/system/examples/desktop.tmpl
+++ b/gnu/system/examples/desktop.tmpl
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 
 (use-modules (gnu) (gnu system nss))
 (use-service-modules desktop)
-(use-package-modules xfce ratpoison wicd avahi xorg certs)
+(use-package-modules xfce ratpoison avahi xorg certs)
 
 (operating-system
   (host-name "antelope")
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
   ;; Add Xfce and Ratpoison; that allows us to choose
   ;; sessions using either of these at the log-in screen.
   (packages (cons* xfce ratpoison    ;desktop environments
-                   xterm wicd avahi  ;useful tools
+                   xterm avahi       ;useful tools
                    nss-certs         ;for HTTPS access
                    %base-packages))