diff --git a/modules/nixos/core-server.nix b/modules/nixos/core-server.nix
index 5145f08d..d3203e74 100644
--- a/modules/nixos/core-server.nix
+++ b/modules/nixos/core-server.nix
@@ -103,5 +103,8 @@
 
   virtualisation.docker = {
     enable = true;
+    # start dockerd on boot.
+    # This is required for containers which are created with the `--restart=always` flag to work.
+    enableOnBoot = true;
   };
 }