diff --git a/nixosModules/default.nix b/nixosModules/default.nix
index 813a1f9..9fb752c 100644
--- a/nixosModules/default.nix
+++ b/nixosModules/default.nix
@@ -191,6 +191,7 @@ in
       isSystemUser = true;
       home = "/home/appvm";
       description = "microVM User";
+      shell = pkgs.bash; # not nologin, despite being a "system" user
       extraGroups = [
         "wheel"
         "video"