diff --git a/nixos/modules/installer/cd-dvd/sd-image.nix b/nixos/modules/installer/cd-dvd/sd-image.nix
index 7f355a132496..07f6f627e6c0 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/installer/cd-dvd/sd-image.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/installer/cd-dvd/sd-image.nix
@@ -194,5 +194,9 @@ in
         rm -f /nix-path-registration
       fi
     '';
+
+    # the installation media is also the installation target,
+    # so we don't want to provide the installation configuration.nix.
+    installer.cloneConfig = false;
   };
 }