diff --git a/nixos/modules/services/web-apps/mastodon.nix b/nixos/modules/services/web-apps/mastodon.nix
index da6a09a00101..a415e8d7f771 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/services/web-apps/mastodon.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/services/web-apps/mastodon.nix
@@ -973,7 +973,7 @@ in
             '';
           path = [
             cfg.package
-            config.services.postgresql.package
+            (if databaseActuallyCreateLocally then config.services.postgresql.package else pkgs.postgresql)
           ];
           environment =
             env