diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index d0ba9a5c..76765645 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -53,7 +53,9 @@ epoll_dep = dependency('epoll-shim', required: false) # timerfd on BSDs
 
 # Handle options
 if get_option('systemd').enabled()
+  systemd = dependency('systemd')
   add_project_arguments('-DUSES_SYSTEMD', language: 'cpp')
+  subdir('systemd')
 endif
 
 if get_option('legacy_renderer').enabled()
@@ -89,7 +91,6 @@ subdir('hyprpm/src')
 subdir('assets')
 subdir('example')
 subdir('docs')
-subdir('systemd')
 
 # Generate hyprland.pc
 pkg_install_dir = join_paths(get_option('datadir'), 'pkgconfig')
diff --git a/systemd/meson.build b/systemd/meson.build
index 497e64f4..2cd5312a 100644
--- a/systemd/meson.build
+++ b/systemd/meson.build
@@ -7,9 +7,11 @@ install_data(
 conf_data = configuration_data()
 conf_data.set('PREFIX', get_option('prefix'))
 conf_data.set('BINDIR', get_option('bindir'))
+user_unit_dir = systemd.get_variable(pkgconfig: 'systemduserunitdir',
+    pkgconfig_define: ['prefix', get_option('prefix')])
 
 configure_file(
   configuration: conf_data,
   input: 'hyprland-session.service.in',
   output: '@BASENAME@',
-  install_dir: join_paths(get_option('libdir'), 'systemd/user')  )
+  install_dir: user_unit_dir )