diff --git a/containerd.service b/containerd.service
index 7edd64645b14..3841cfd24e1f 100644
--- a/containerd.service
+++ b/containerd.service
@@ -31,6 +31,8 @@ RestartSec=5
 # in the kernel. We recommend using cgroups to do container-local accounting.
 LimitNPROC=infinity
 LimitCORE=infinity
+# 1048576 (soft and hard) was the default before systemd 240
+LimitNOFILE=1048576
 
 # Comment TasksMax if your systemd version does not supports it.
 # Only systemd 226 and above support this version.