diff --git a/system/hosts/mcp/configuration.nix b/system/hosts/mcp/configuration.nix
index a4391c6..7788031 100644
--- a/system/hosts/mcp/configuration.nix
+++ b/system/hosts/mcp/configuration.nix
@@ -64,6 +64,9 @@
       "docker-registry"
     ];
     shell = pkgs.zsh;
+    # Enable linger so that systemd services run for this user are started and
+    # persist even without an active session.
+    linger = true;
   };
 
   # List packages installed in system profile. To search, run: