diff --git a/src/modules/top-level.nix b/src/modules/top-level.nix
index 839d44197..71433d5b5 100644
--- a/src/modules/top-level.nix
+++ b/src/modules/top-level.nix
@@ -196,6 +196,7 @@ in
     ];
     # use builtins.toPath to normalize path if root is "/" (container)
     devenv.state = builtins.toPath (config.devenv.dotfile + "/state");
+    devenv.dotfile = lib.mkDefault (builtins.toPath (config.devenv.root + "/.devenv"));
     devenv.profile = profile;
 
     env.DEVENV_PROFILE = config.devenv.profile;