diff --git a/contrib/init/bitcoind.service b/contrib/init/bitcoind.service
index 3804a08e3c8..1845208cbbd 100644
--- a/contrib/init/bitcoind.service
+++ b/contrib/init/bitcoind.service
@@ -25,8 +25,7 @@ ExecStart=/usr/bin/bitcoind -pid=/run/bitcoind/bitcoind.pid \
                             -shutdownnotify='systemd-notify --stopping'
 
 # Make sure the config directory is readable by the service user
-PermissionsStartOnly=true
-ExecStartPre=/bin/chgrp bitcoin /etc/bitcoin
+ExecStartPre=!/bin/chgrp bitcoin /etc/bitcoin
 
 # Process management
 ####################