diff --git a/nix/noninteractive.nix b/nix/noninteractive.nix
index d775beb..3d39182 100644
--- a/nix/noninteractive.nix
+++ b/nix/noninteractive.nix
@@ -1,13 +1,18 @@
 # This module optimizes for non-interactive deployments by remove some store paths
 # which are primarily useful for interactive installations.
 
-{ config, lib, pkgs, ... }: {
+{ lib, pkgs, ... }:
+{
   disabledModules = [
     # This module adds values to multiple lists (systemPackages, supportedFilesystems)
     # which are impossible/unpractical to remove, so we disable the entire module.
     "profiles/base.nix"
   ];
 
+  imports = [
+    ./zfs-minimal.nix
+  ];
+
   # among others, this prevents carrying a stdenv with gcc in the image
   system.extraDependencies = lib.mkForce [ ];
 
@@ -21,10 +26,6 @@
   environment.defaultPackages = lib.mkForce [
     pkgs.rsync
     pkgs.parted
-    (pkgs.zfs.override {
-      # this overrides saves 10MB
-      samba = pkgs.coreutils;
-    })
     pkgs.gptfdisk
   ];
 
@@ -42,28 +43,9 @@
     "vfat"
     "xfs"
   ];
-  boot = {
-    kernelModules = [
-      "zfs"
-      # we have to explicitly enable this, otherwise it is not loaded even when creating a raid:
-      # https://github.com/nix-community/nixos-anywhere/issues/249
-      "dm-raid"
-    ];
-    extraModulePackages = [
-      (config.boot.kernelPackages.zfs.override {
-        inherit (config.boot.zfs) removeLinuxDRM;
-      })
-    ];
-  };
-
-  boot.kernelPatches = lib.optional (config.boot.zfs.removeLinuxDRM && pkgs.stdenv.hostPlatform.system == "aarch64-linux") {
-    name = "export-neon-symbols-as-gpl";
-    patch = pkgs.fetchpatch {
-      url = "https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/aaeca98456431a8d9382ecf48ac4843e252c07b3.patch";
-      hash = "sha256-L2g4G1tlWPIi/QRckMuHDcdWBcKpObSWSRTvbHRIwIk=";
-      revert = true;
-    };
-  };
-
-  networking.hostId = lib.mkDefault "8425e349";
+  boot.kernelModules = [
+    # we have to explicitly enable this, otherwise it is not loaded even when creating a raid:
+    # https://github.com/nix-community/nixos-anywhere/issues/249
+    "dm-raid"
+  ];
 }
diff --git a/nix/zfs-minimal.nix b/nix/zfs-minimal.nix
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5674dc1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nix/zfs-minimal.nix
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+{ config, lib, pkgs, ... }:
+# incorperate a space-optimized version of zfs
+let
+  zfs = pkgs.zfs.override {
+    # this overrides saves 10MB
+    samba = pkgs.coreutils;
+  };
+in
+{
+  services.udev.packages = [ zfs ]; # to hook zvol naming, etc.
+  # unsure if need this, but in future udev rules could potentially point to systemd services.
+  systemd.packages = [ zfs ];
+  environment.defaultPackages = lib.mkForce [ zfs ]; # this merges with outer noninteractive module.
+
+  boot.kernelModules = [ "zfs" ];
+  boot.extraModulePackages = [
+    (config.boot.kernelPackages.zfs.override {
+      inherit (config.boot.zfs) removeLinuxDRM;
+    })
+  ];
+
+  boot.kernelPatches = lib.optional (config.boot.zfs.removeLinuxDRM && pkgs.stdenv.hostPlatform.system == "aarch64-linux") {
+    name = "export-neon-symbols-as-gpl";
+    patch = pkgs.fetchpatch {
+      url = "https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/aaeca98456431a8d9382ecf48ac4843e252c07b3.patch";
+      hash = "sha256-L2g4G1tlWPIi/QRckMuHDcdWBcKpObSWSRTvbHRIwIk=";
+      revert = true;
+    };
+  };
+
+  networking.hostId = lib.mkDefault "8425e349";
+}