diff --git a/gnu/services/base.scm b/gnu/services/base.scm
index 2780d124c7..274ff100e8 100644
--- a/gnu/services/base.scm
+++ b/gnu/services/base.scm
@@ -790,6 +790,11 @@ (define (nscd-shepherd-service config)
                                           "/sbin/nscd")
                            "-f" #$nscd.conf "--foreground")
 
+                     ;; Wait for the PID file.  However, the PID file is
+                     ;; written before nscd is actually listening on its
+                     ;; socket (XXX).
+                     #:pid-file "/var/run/nscd/nscd.pid"
+
                      #:environment-variables
                      (list (string-append "LD_LIBRARY_PATH="
                                           (string-join