diff --git a/znc.service.in b/znc.service.in
index a6c9e68d..7accad90 100644
--- a/znc.service.in
+++ b/znc.service.in
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ Description=ZNC, an advanced IRC bouncer
 After=network.target
 
 [Service]
-ExecStart=@CMAKE_INSTALL_FULL_BINDIR@/znc -f
+ExecStart=@CMAKE_INSTALL_FULL_BINDIR@/znc -f --datadir=/var/lib/znc
 User=znc
 
 [Install]