diff --git a/modules/services/system/dbus.nix b/modules/services/system/dbus.nix
index b0c8dc66ae50..6f79865645db 100644
--- a/modules/services/system/dbus.nix
+++ b/modules/services/system/dbus.nix
@@ -130,6 +130,12 @@ in
 
         exec = "${dbus}/bin/dbus-daemon --config-file=${configDir}/system.conf";
 
+        postStart =
+          ''
+            # Signal Upstart that it can connect to the system bus.
+            kill -HUP 1 || true
+          '';
+
         postStop =
           ''
             # !!! Hack: doesn't belong here.
diff --git a/modules/system/upstart/upstart.nix b/modules/system/upstart/upstart.nix
index 9edb0153cb27..3d2af1b0382f 100644
--- a/modules/system/upstart/upstart.nix
+++ b/modules/system/upstart/upstart.nix
@@ -311,6 +311,10 @@ in
           target = "init/${job.name}.conf";
         } );
 
+    # Upstart can listen on the system bus, allowing normal users to
+    # do status queries.
+    services.dbus.packages = [ upstart ];
+
     # !!! fix this
     /*
     tests.upstartJobs = { recurseForDerivations = true; } //