diff --git a/nixos/modules/system/boot/loader/gummiboot/gummiboot.nix b/nixos/modules/system/boot/loader/gummiboot/gummiboot.nix
index e7a481e90a79..003f72b37f9e 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/system/boot/loader/gummiboot/gummiboot.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/system/boot/loader/gummiboot/gummiboot.nix
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ let
 
     nix = config.nix.package;
 
-    inherit (cfg) timeout;
+    timeout = if cfg.timeout != null then cfg.timeout else "";
 
     inherit (efi) efiSysMountPoint canTouchEfiVariables;
   };