diff --git a/gnu/system/linux-initrd.scm b/gnu/system/linux-initrd.scm
index 03199e0c39..b80ff10f1e 100644
--- a/gnu/system/linux-initrd.scm
+++ b/gnu/system/linux-initrd.scm
@@ -204,12 +204,16 @@ initrd code."
 (define* (qemu-initrd file-systems
                       #:key
                       guile-modules-in-chroot?
+                      (qemu-networking? #t)
                       volatile-root?)
   "Return a monadic derivation that builds an initrd for use in a QEMU guest
 where the store is shared with the host.  FILE-SYSTEMS is a list of
 file-systems to be mounted by the initrd, possibly in addition to the root
 file system specified on the kernel command line via '--root'.
 
+When QEMU-NETWORKING? is true, set up networking with the standard QEMU
+parameters.
+
 When VOLATILE-ROOT? is true, the root file system is writable but any changes
 to it are lost.
 
@@ -267,7 +271,7 @@ exception and backtrace!)."
 
        (boot-system #:mounts '#$(map file-system->spec file-systems)
                     #:linux-modules '#$linux-modules
-                    #:qemu-guest-networking? #t
+                    #:qemu-guest-networking? #$qemu-networking?
                     #:guile-modules-in-chroot? '#$guile-modules-in-chroot?
                     #:volatile-root? '#$volatile-root?))
    #:name "qemu-initrd"
diff --git a/gnu/system/vm.scm b/gnu/system/vm.scm
index 18635fd7e9..a15c4c358b 100644
--- a/gnu/system/vm.scm
+++ b/gnu/system/vm.scm
@@ -271,7 +271,11 @@ to USB sticks meant to be read-only."
             (operating-system-file-systems os)))
 
   (let ((os (operating-system (inherit os)
-              (initrd (cut qemu-initrd <> #:volatile-root? volatile?))
+              ;; Since this is meant to be used on real hardware, don't set up
+              ;; QEMU networking.
+              (initrd (cut qemu-initrd <>
+                           #:volatile-root? volatile?
+                           #:qemu-networking? #f))
 
               ;; Force our own root file system.
               (file-systems (cons (file-system