diff --git a/gnu/system/install.scm b/gnu/system/install.scm
index 0a78d030dd..2c408c109a 100644
--- a/gnu/system/install.scm
+++ b/gnu/system/install.scm
@@ -277,7 +277,13 @@ You have been warned.  Thanks for being so brave.
           ;; Since this is running on a USB stick with a unionfs as the root
           ;; file system, use an appropriate cache configuration.
           (nscd-service (nscd-configuration
-                         (caches %nscd-minimal-caches))))))
+                         (caches %nscd-minimal-caches)))
+
+          ;; Having /bin/sh is a good idea.  In particular it allows Tramp
+          ;; connections to this system to work.
+          (service special-files-service-type
+                   `(("/bin/sh" ,(file-append (canonical-package bash)
+                                              "/bin/sh")))))))
 
 (define %issue
   ;; Greeting.