diff --git a/nixos/modules/services/networking/freeradius.nix b/nixos/modules/services/networking/freeradius.nix
index cd766f919579..569734f6d70b 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/services/networking/freeradius.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/services/networking/freeradius.nix
@@ -13,11 +13,9 @@ let
     wantedBy = [ "multi-user.target" ];
     after = [ "network.target" ];
     wants = [ "network.target" ];
-    preStart = ''
-      ${cfg.package}/bin/radiusd -C -d ${cfg.configDir} -l stdout
-    '';
 
     serviceConfig = {
+      ExecStartPre = "${cfg.package}/bin/radiusd -C -d ${cfg.configDir} -l stdout";
       ExecStart =
         "${cfg.package}/bin/radiusd -f -d ${cfg.configDir} -l stdout" + lib.optionalString cfg.debug " -xx";
       ExecReload = [