diff --git a/meta/conf/distro/include/init-manager-systemd.inc b/meta/conf/distro/include/init-manager-systemd.inc
index 7867d90028..595d1f2644 100644
--- a/meta/conf/distro/include/init-manager-systemd.inc
+++ b/meta/conf/distro/include/init-manager-systemd.inc
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # Use systemd for system initialization
-DISTRO_FEATURES:append = " systemd"
+DISTRO_FEATURES:append = " systemd usrmerge"
 DISTRO_FEATURES_BACKFILL_CONSIDERED:append = " sysvinit"
 VIRTUAL-RUNTIME_init_manager ??= "systemd"
 VIRTUAL-RUNTIME_initscripts ??= "systemd-compat-units"