diff --git a/nixos/modules/services/databases/mongodb.nix b/nixos/modules/services/databases/mongodb.nix
index 1eba6fdc60af..c9270d24d479 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/services/databases/mongodb.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/services/databases/mongodb.nix
@@ -164,6 +164,8 @@ in
           rm ${cfg.dbpath}/mongod.lock || true
           if ! test -e ${cfg.dbpath}; then
               install -d -m0700 -o ${cfg.user} ${cfg.dbpath}
+          fi
+          if ! test -e ${cfg.dbpath}/storage.bson; then
               # See postStart!
               touch ${cfg.dbpath}/.first_startup
           fi