diff --git a/conf/distro/include/angstrom.inc b/conf/distro/include/angstrom.inc
index 5500242..67a56c1 100644
--- a/conf/distro/include/angstrom.inc
+++ b/conf/distro/include/angstrom.inc
@@ -158,7 +158,8 @@ DISTRO_CHECK := "${@bb.data.getVar("DISTRO_VERSION",d,1) or bb.fatal('Remove thi
 DISTRO_FEATURES = "alsa argp bluetooth ext2 ipv4 ipv6 irda largefile nfs pam pci pcmcia ppp smbfs systemd usbgadget usbhost vfat wifi xattr zeroconf"
 
 # Disable sysvinit for recipes with systemd support
-DISTRO_FEATURES_BACKFILL_CONSIDERED_append = " sysvinit"
+DISTRO_FEATURES_BACKFILL_CONSIDERED += "sysvinit"
+VIRTUAL-RUNTIME_init_manager = "systemd"
 
 # USE-flag like features
 DISTRO_FEATURES += "tk"