diff --git a/etc/guix-install.sh b/etc/guix-install.sh
index 4d457e7f2d..bf15aede21 100755
--- a/etc/guix-install.sh
+++ b/etc/guix-install.sh
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ chk_init_sys()
         _msg "${INF}init system is: upstart"
         INIT_SYS="upstart"
         return 0
-    elif [[ $(systemctl) =~ -\.mount ]]; then
+    elif [[ $(systemctl 2>/dev/null) =~ -\.mount ]]; then
         _msg "${INF}init system is: systemd"
         INIT_SYS="systemd"
         return 0