diff --git a/units/debug-shell.service.in b/units/debug-shell.service.in
index 1588bb9596..2c2c8dd4f5 100644
--- a/units/debug-shell.service.in
+++ b/units/debug-shell.service.in
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ Documentation=man:systemd-debug-generator(8)
 DefaultDependencies=no
 IgnoreOnIsolate=yes
 ConditionPathExists={{DEBUGTTY}}
+After=systemd-vconsole-setup.service
 
 [Service]
 Environment=TERM=linux
diff --git a/units/systemd-vconsole-setup.service.in b/units/systemd-vconsole-setup.service.in
index c07869fedd..0009528307 100644
--- a/units/systemd-vconsole-setup.service.in
+++ b/units/systemd-vconsole-setup.service.in
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 Description=Setup Virtual Console
 Documentation=man:systemd-vconsole-setup.service(8) man:vconsole.conf(5)
 DefaultDependencies=no
+Before=sysinit.target
 Before=initrd-switch-root.target shutdown.target
 ConditionPathExists=/dev/tty0