diff --git a/plugins/systemd/systemd_status b/plugins/systemd/systemd_status
index ee895324..042348f3 100755
--- a/plugins/systemd/systemd_status
+++ b/plugins/systemd/systemd_status
@@ -103,7 +103,8 @@ def fetch():
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
     if len(sys.argv) > 1 and sys.argv[1] == 'autoconf':
-        print('yes')
+        print('yes' if os.path.exists('/run/systemd/system') else
+              'no (systemd is not running)')
     elif len(sys.argv) > 1 and sys.argv[1] == 'config':
         config()
     else: