diff --git a/netplan-conf.c b/netplan-conf.c
index 89968881..58cce9f9 100644
--- a/netplan-conf.c
+++ b/netplan-conf.c
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ static void netplan_write_header(FILE *fd)
     fprintf(fd, "# For more information, see netplan(5).\n");
     fprintf(fd, "network:\n");
     fprintf(fd, "  version: 2\n");
+    fprintf(fd, "  renderer: networkd\n");
 }
 
 static void netplan_write_wireless(FILE *fd, const struct netcfg_interface *interface)