diff --git a/nixos/modules/services/misc/paperless.nix b/nixos/modules/services/misc/paperless.nix
index 69b8bd959eeb..b45f762f461d 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/services/misc/paperless.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/services/misc/paperless.nix
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ in
       directory = lib.mkOption {
         type = lib.types.str;
         default = cfg.dataDir + "/export";
-        defaultText = "\${dataDir}/export";
+        defaultText = lib.literalExpression "\${config.services.paperless.dataDir}/export";
         description = "Directory to store export.";
       };