diff --git a/systemd/seagl-dconf-update-hack.service b/systemd/seagl-dconf-update-hack.service
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6023a0f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/systemd/seagl-dconf-update-hack.service
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+[Unit]
+# TODO figure out why `dconf update` in build.sh isn't enough
+Description=Update dconf database (hack)
+DefaultDependencies=no
+# Consult bootup(7) for more info about this and basic.target
+After=sysinit.target
+Before=seagl-reset-users.service
+
+[Service]
+Type=oneshot
+RemainAfterExit=yes
+ExecStart=/usr/bin/dconf update
+
+[Install]
+WantedBy=basic.target