diff --git a/systemd/bootc-fetch-apply-updates.service b/systemd/bootc-fetch-apply-updates.service
index ce627a5908..c63420d17f 100644
--- a/systemd/bootc-fetch-apply-updates.service
+++ b/systemd/bootc-fetch-apply-updates.service
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 [Unit]
 Description=Apply bootc updates
 Documentation=man:bootc(8)
-ConditionPathExists=/run/ostree-booted
+ConditionPathExists=|/run/ostree-booted
+ConditionKernelCommandLine=|composefs
 
 [Service]
 Type=oneshot
diff --git a/systemd/bootc-fetch-apply-updates.timer b/systemd/bootc-fetch-apply-updates.timer
index 4ebb66362f..9032311aa6 100644
--- a/systemd/bootc-fetch-apply-updates.timer
+++ b/systemd/bootc-fetch-apply-updates.timer
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 [Unit]
 Description=Apply bootc updates
 Documentation=man:bootc(8)
-ConditionPathExists=/run/ostree-booted
+ConditionPathExists=|/run/ostree-booted
+ConditionKernelCommandLine=|composefs
 
 [Timer]
 OnBootSec=1h