diff --git a/gnu/system/linux.scm b/gnu/system/linux.scm
index aaaa8c6deef917fa2ab654b2ebed36047ddf5b7f..7461a4a61fd3514c4265340521086bd6019272a5 100644
--- a/gnu/system/linux.scm
+++ b/gnu/system/linux.scm
@@ -148,7 +148,11 @@ (module "pam_unix.so"))))
                           (module "pam_unix.so")
                           (arguments '("nullok")))
                          unix)))
-         (password (list unix))
+         (password (list (pam-entry
+                          (control "required")
+                          (module "pam_unix.so")
+                          ;; Store SHA-512 encrypted passwords in /etc/shadow.
+                          (arguments '("sha512" "shadow")))))
          (session (if motd
                       (list unix
                             (pam-entry