diff --git a/modules/tasks/tty-backgrounds.nix b/modules/tasks/tty-backgrounds.nix
index e64bc5239450..265c7a57bf2d 100644
--- a/modules/tasks/tty-backgrounds.nix
+++ b/modules/tasks/tty-backgrounds.nix
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ in
     services.ttyBackgrounds = {
 
       enable = mkOption {
-        default = true;
+        default = splashutils != null;
         description = ''
           Whether to enable graphical backgrounds for the virtual consoles.
         '';