diff --git a/modules/openclaw.nix b/modules/openclaw.nix
index 594bc0b..d143025 100644
--- a/modules/openclaw.nix
+++ b/modules/openclaw.nix
@@ -88,6 +88,8 @@ in
           "OPENCLAW_WORKSPACE_DIR=${workspaceDir}"
         ];
 
+        EnvironmentFile = lib.mkIf (cfg.environmentFile != null) cfg.environmentFile;
+
         ExecStartPre = [
           "${pkgs.coreutils}/bin/mkdir -p ${configDir} ${dataDir} ${workspaceDir}"
           "${pkgs.coreutils}/bin/cp -n /etc/openclaw/openclaw.json ${configDir}/ || true"
@@ -104,8 +106,6 @@ in
         ReadWritePaths = [ configDir dataDir workspaceDir ];
         NoNewPrivileges = true;
       };
-    } // lib.optionalAttrs (cfg.environmentFile != null) {
-      serviceConfig.EnvironmentFile = cfg.environmentFile;
     };
   };
 }