diff --git a/gnu/home/services.scm b/gnu/home/services.scm
index 6c26afafc4..93d6881954 100644
--- a/gnu/home/services.scm
+++ b/gnu/home/services.scm
@@ -765,7 +765,9 @@ environment, and its configuration file, when available.")))
 ;;;
 
 (define home-gc-root-service-type
-  (system->home-service-type gc-root-service-type))
+  (service-type
+    (inherit (system->home-service-type gc-root-service-type))
+    (default-value '())))
 
 
 ;;;