diff --git a/gnu/services/virtualization.scm b/gnu/services/virtualization.scm
index 7e2f5a1490c..539e4fa86a4 100644
--- a/gnu/services/virtualization.scm
+++ b/gnu/services/virtualization.scm
@@ -905,6 +905,7 @@ is added to the OS specified in CONFIG."
     (system-image
      (image
       (inherit hurd-disk-image)
+      (format 'compressed-qcow2)
       (size disk-size)
       (operating-system os)))))