diff --git a/nixos/modules/programs/xonsh.nix b/nixos/modules/programs/xonsh.nix
index ceab9b5db931..5cd2a49f8073 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/programs/xonsh.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/programs/xonsh.nix
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ in
 
       package = mkOption {
         type = types.package;
+        default = pkgs.xonsh;
         example = literalExample "pkgs.xonsh.override { configFile = \"/path/to/xonshrc\"; }";
         description = ''
           xonsh package to use.
@@ -46,11 +47,11 @@ in
 
     environment.etc."xonshrc".text = cfg.config;
 
-    environment.systemPackages = [ pkgs.xonsh ];
+    environment.systemPackages = [ cfg.package ];
 
     environment.shells =
       [ "/run/current-system/sw/bin/xonsh"
-        "${pkgs.xonsh}/bin/xonsh"
+        "${cfg.package}/bin/xonsh"
       ];
 
   };