diff --git a/distro/nix/niri.nix b/distro/nix/niri.nix
index 04f491da1..12b3ed510 100644
--- a/distro/nix/niri.nix
+++ b/distro/nix/niri.nix
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ in {
           text = lib.pipe cfg'.filesToInclude [
             (map (filename: "dms/${filename}"))
             withOriginalConfig
-            (map (filename: "include \"${filename}.kdl\""))
+            (map (filename: "include optional=true \"${filename}.kdl\""))
             (files: files ++ fixes)
             (builtins.concatStringsSep "\n")
           ];