diff --git a/nixos/modules/services/continuous-integration/hydra/default.nix b/nixos/modules/services/continuous-integration/hydra/default.nix
index 30c5550f71c5..c2e0f760e254 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/services/continuous-integration/hydra/default.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/services/continuous-integration/hydra/default.nix
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ in
 
       buildMachinesFiles = mkOption {
         type = types.listOf types.path;
-        default = [ "/etc/nix/machines" ];
+        default = optional (config.nix.buildMachines != []) "/etc/nix/machines";
         example = [ "/etc/nix/machines" "/var/lib/hydra/provisioner/machines" ];
         description = "List of files containing build machines.";
       };