diff --git a/nixos/modules/services/misc/nix-daemon.nix b/nixos/modules/services/misc/nix-daemon.nix
index 6d25fef45768..42a9d46f1d63 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/services/misc/nix-daemon.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/services/misc/nix-daemon.nix
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ in
 
       package = mkOption {
         type = types.package;
-        default = pkgs.nix;
+        default = pkgs.nixUnstable;
         description = ''
           This option specifies the Nix package instance to use throughout the system.
         '';