diff --git a/modules/files.nix b/modules/files.nix
index f2495f5b..45aa9965 100644
--- a/modules/files.nix
+++ b/modules/files.nix
@@ -225,11 +225,26 @@ in
             install -m "$mode" "$source" "$target"
           else
             [[ -x $source ]] && isExecutable=1 || isExecutable=""
-            if [[ $executable == inherit || $isExecutable == $executable ]]; then
+
+            # Link the file into the home file directory if possible,
+            # i.e., if the executable bit of the source is the same we
+            # expect for the target. Otherwise, we copy the file and
+            # set the executable bit to the expected value.
+            #
+            # Note, as a special case we always copy systemd units
+            # because it derives the unit name from the ultimate link
+            # target, which may be a store path with the hash
+            # included.
+            if [[ ($executable == inherit || $isExecutable == $executable) \
+                && $relTarget != *"/systemd/user/"* ]]; then
               ln -s "$source" "$target"
             else
               cp "$source" "$target"
-              if [[ $executable ]]; then
+
+              if [[ $executable == inherit ]]; then
+                # Don't change file mode if it should match the source.
+                :
+              elif [[ $executable ]]; then
                 chmod +x "$target"
               else
                 chmod -x "$target"
diff --git a/modules/systemd.nix b/modules/systemd.nix
index 939dc832..8ee2db65 100644
--- a/modules/systemd.nix
+++ b/modules/systemd.nix
@@ -24,17 +24,17 @@ let
 
   buildService = style: name: serviceCfg:
     let
-      source = pkgs.writeScript "${name}.${style}" (toSystemdIni serviceCfg);
+      source = pkgs.writeText "${name}.${style}" (toSystemdIni serviceCfg);
 
       wantedBy = target:
         {
           name = "systemd/user/${target}.wants/${name}.${style}";
-          value = { inherit source; executable = false; };
+          value = { inherit source; };
         };
     in
       singleton {
         name = "systemd/user/${name}.${style}";
-        value = { inherit source; executable = false; };
+        value = { inherit source; };
       }
       ++
       map wantedBy (serviceCfg.Install.WantedBy or []);