diff --git a/examples/systemd/node_exporter.service b/examples/systemd/node_exporter.service
index 82553e91ee..1ef24442d2 100644
--- a/examples/systemd/node_exporter.service
+++ b/examples/systemd/node_exporter.service
@@ -4,7 +4,9 @@ Requires=node_exporter.socket
 
 [Service]
 User=node_exporter
-EnvironmentFile=/etc/sysconfig/node_exporter
+# Fallback when environment file does not exist
+Environment=OPTIONS=
+EnvironmentFile=-/etc/sysconfig/node_exporter
 ExecStart=/usr/sbin/node_exporter --web.systemd-socket $OPTIONS
 
 [Install]