diff --git a/bash/.bashrc b/bash/.bashrc
index 671fc72..aa501cc 100644
--- a/bash/.bashrc
+++ b/bash/.bashrc
@@ -61,6 +61,10 @@ else
     export EDITOR=/usr/bin/vim
 fi
 
+# so stupid, systemd ignores EDITOR and requires its own env variable
+# just set it to whatever editor is
+export SYSTEMD_EDITOR=$EDITOR
+
 ### set nnn options 
 # set detailed mode by default, a for auto FIFO
 export NNN_OPTS='da'