diff --git a/meta/classes-recipe/systemd.bbclass b/meta/classes-recipe/systemd.bbclass
index 26eaaf1922..5d8e6086b2 100644
--- a/meta/classes-recipe/systemd.bbclass
+++ b/meta/classes-recipe/systemd.bbclass
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ python __anonymous() {
     # redundant init files.
     if bb.utils.contains('DISTRO_FEATURES', 'systemd', True, False, d):
         d.appendVar("DEPENDS", " systemd-systemctl-native")
-        d.appendVar("PACKAGE_WRITE_DEPS", " systemd-systemctl-native")
         d.setVar("INHIBIT_UPDATERCD_BBCLASS", "1")
 }
 
diff --git a/meta/recipes-core/systemd/systemd_259.5.bb b/meta/recipes-core/systemd/systemd_259.5.bb
index f3ec0edae7..594a716812 100644
--- a/meta/recipes-core/systemd/systemd_259.5.bb
+++ b/meta/recipes-core/systemd/systemd_259.5.bb
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ REQUIRED_DISTRO_FEATURES += "systemd"
 # this and hence we can no longer support it
 CONFLICT_DISTRO_FEATURES += "sysvinit"
 
+PACKAGE_WRITE_DEPS += "systemd-systemctl-native"
+
 SRC_URI += " \
            file://touchscreen.rules \
            file://00-create-volatile.conf \