diff --git a/units/getty@.service.m4 b/units/getty@.service.m4
index 6d458360a4..fcf1de197f 100644
--- a/units/getty@.service.m4
+++ b/units/getty@.service.m4
@@ -41,7 +41,8 @@ ConditionPathExists=/dev/tty0
 
 [Service]
 Environment=TERM=linux
-ExecStart=-/sbin/agetty %I 38400
+# the VT is cleared by TTYVTDisallocate
+ExecStart=-/sbin/agetty --noclear %I 38400
 Type=idle
 Restart=always
 RestartSec=0