diff --git a/pkg/rootless/rootless_linux.c b/pkg/rootless/rootless_linux.c
index 716db81dceb3..2c6f7ae38a9e 100644
--- a/pkg/rootless/rootless_linux.c
+++ b/pkg/rootless/rootless_linux.c
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ can_use_shortcut ()
 
       if (strcmp (argv[argc], "mount") == 0
           || strcmp (argv[argc], "search") == 0
-          || strcmp (argv[argc], "system") == 0)
+          || (strcmp (argv[argc], "system") == 0 && argv[argc+1] && strcmp (argv[argc+1], "service") != 0))
         {
           ret = false;
           break;