diff --git a/nixos/modules/virtualisation/incus.nix b/nixos/modules/virtualisation/incus.nix
index 7d94e9621977..52f34ccd8378 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/virtualisation/incus.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/virtualisation/incus.nix
@@ -446,6 +446,8 @@ in
       ]
       ++ lib.optionals (cfg.useACMEHost != null) [ "acme-${cfg.useACMEHost}.service" ];
 
+      stopIfChanged = lib.mkIf cfg.softDaemonRestart false;
+
       serviceConfig = {
         ExecStart = "${cfg.package}/bin/incusd --group incus-admin";
         ExecStartPost = "${cfg.package}/bin/incusd waitready --timeout=${cfg.startTimeout}";
@@ -504,6 +506,7 @@ in
 
       # restarting this service will affect instances
       restartIfChanged = false;
+      stopIfChanged = false;
 
       serviceConfig = {
         ExecStart = "${incus-startup} start";