diff --git a/gnu/home/services/shepherd.scm b/gnu/home/services/shepherd.scm
index df6bbb30e6..3ac29cb005 100644
--- a/gnu/home/services/shepherd.scm
+++ b/gnu/home/services/shepherd.scm
@@ -82,9 +82,7 @@ (define config
                  '#$(append-map shepherd-service-provision
                                 (filter shepherd-service-auto-start?
                                         services))))
-            (if (defined? 'start-in-the-background)
-                (start-in-the-background services-to-start)
-                (for-each start services-to-start)))))
+            (for-each start services-to-start))))
 
     (scheme-file "shepherd.conf" config)))