diff --git a/nixos/modules/services/backup/borgbackup.nix b/nixos/modules/services/backup/borgbackup.nix
index ad6194f8262a..7d5714499f3a 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/services/backup/borgbackup.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/services/backup/borgbackup.nix
@@ -123,6 +123,7 @@ let
       };
       # if remote-backup wait for network
       after = optional (cfg.persistentTimer && !isLocalPath cfg.repo) "network-online.target";
+      wants = optional (cfg.persistentTimer && !isLocalPath cfg.repo) "network-online.target";
     };
 
   # utility function around makeWrapper