diff --git a/settings/hyprland.nix b/settings/hyprland.nix
index fadff6e..f496fc4 100644
--- a/settings/hyprland.nix
+++ b/settings/hyprland.nix
@@ -97,7 +97,9 @@
           "$menu" = "fuzzel";
 
           exec-once = [
-            "waybar"
+            # waybar starts via its systemd user service — see programs.waybar
+            # below — so it waits for graphical-session.target instead of
+            # racing the Wayland init.
             "mako"
             "hyprpaper"
             "nm-applet --indicator"
@@ -273,6 +275,7 @@
 
       programs.waybar = {
         enable = true;
+        systemd.enable = true; # start via graphical-session.target
 
         settings.mainBar = {
           layer = "top";