diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index d3d0c93..6c60c3c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -48,11 +48,11 @@ service file.
 Since these paths are specific to a machine, it's not recommended to check the
 service files into your respository.
 
-You can generate and install the service file to the system with the following
+You can generate and link the service file to the system with the following
 command:
 
 ```bash
-$ lapis systemd service development --install
+$ lapis systemd service development --link
 ```
 
 You can then start your service:
@@ -106,4 +106,3 @@ You can access the systemd journal with the `lapis.systemd.journal` module:
 journal = require("lapis.systemd.journal")
 journal.log("hello world!", {priority = 5})
 ```
-
diff --git a/lapis/cmd/actions/systemd.lua b/lapis/cmd/actions/systemd.lua
index 8aa072d..51dec59 100644
--- a/lapis/cmd/actions/systemd.lua
+++ b/lapis/cmd/actions/systemd.lua
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ local parse_flags
 parse_flags = require("lapis.cmd.util").parse_flags
 return {
   name = "systemd",
-  usage = "systemd service [environment] [--install]",
+  usage = "systemd service [environment] [--link]",
   help = "create systemd service files",
   function(self, flags, command, environment)
     environment = environment or default_environment()
@@ -15,10 +15,9 @@ return {
     render_service_file = require("lapis.systemd.service").render_service_file
     local contents, file, dir = render_service_file(config)
     path.write_file(file, contents)
-    if flags.install then
+    if flags.link then
       local src = path.shell_escape(tostring(dir) .. "/" .. tostring(file))
-      local dest = path.shell_escape("/usr/lib/systemd/system/" .. tostring(file))
-      path.exec("sudo cp '" .. tostring(src) .. "' '" .. tostring(dest) .. "'")
+      path.exec("sudo systemctl link '" .. tostring(src) .. "'")
       return path.exec("sudo systemctl daemon-reload")
     end
   end
diff --git a/lapis/cmd/actions/systemd.moon b/lapis/cmd/actions/systemd.moon
index 2ffe4c4..31435f2 100644
--- a/lapis/cmd/actions/systemd.moon
+++ b/lapis/cmd/actions/systemd.moon
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import parse_flags from require "lapis.cmd.util"
 
 {
   name: "systemd"
-  usage: "systemd service [environment] [--install]"
+  usage: "systemd service [environment] [--link]"
   help: "create systemd service files"
 
   (flags, command, environment) =>
@@ -20,10 +20,9 @@ import parse_flags from require "lapis.cmd.util"
 
     path.write_file file, contents
 
-    if flags.install
+    if flags.link
       src = path.shell_escape "#{dir}/#{file}"
-      dest = path.shell_escape "/usr/lib/systemd/system/#{file}"
 
-      path.exec "sudo cp '#{src}' '#{dest}'"
+      path.exec "sudo systemctl link '#{src}'"
       path.exec "sudo systemctl daemon-reload"
 }