diff --git a/gnu/services/linux.scm b/gnu/services/linux.scm
index 621d26fcff..61a7dbb9a1 100644
--- a/gnu/services/linux.scm
+++ b/gnu/services/linux.scm
@@ -151,7 +151,8 @@ representation."
         #~(lambda _
             (if (file-exists? "/proc/sys/kernel/modprobe")
                 (let ((modprobe (call-with-input-file
-                                    "/proc/sys/kernel/modprobe" get-line)))
+                                    "/proc/sys/kernel/modprobe"
+                                  (@ (ice-9 textual-ports) get-line))))
                   (guard (c ((message-condition? c)
                              (format (current-error-port) "~a~%"
                                      (condition-message c))