diff --git a/pmb/config/other.py b/pmb/config/other.py
index 2f5a37d6..55050297 100644
--- a/pmb/config/other.py
+++ b/pmb/config/other.py
@@ -11,24 +11,30 @@ from pmb.meta import Cache
 def is_systemd_selected(config: Config) -> bool:
     if "systemd" not in pmb.config.pmaports.read_config_repos():
         return False
-    if pmb.helpers.ui.check_option(config.ui, "pmb:systemd-never", with_extra_repos="disabled"):
+    if pmb.helpers.ui.check_option(
+        config.ui, "pmb:systemd-never", with_extra_repos="disabled", must_exist=False
+    ):
         return False
     if config.systemd == SystemdConfig.ALWAYS:
         return True
     if config.systemd == SystemdConfig.NEVER:
         return False
-    return pmb.helpers.ui.check_option(config.ui, "pmb:systemd", with_extra_repos="disabled")
+    current_ui_needs_systemd = pmb.helpers.ui.check_option(
+        config.ui, "pmb:systemd", with_extra_repos="disabled", must_exist=False
+    )
+
+    return current_ui_needs_systemd if current_ui_needs_systemd is not None else False
 
 
 def systemd_selected_str(config: Config) -> tuple[str, str]:
     if "systemd" not in pmb.config.pmaports.read_config_repos():
         return "no", "not supported by pmaports branch"
-    if pmb.helpers.ui.check_option(config.ui, "pmb:systemd-never"):
+    if pmb.helpers.ui.check_option(config.ui, "pmb:systemd-never", must_exist=False):
         return "no", "not supported by selected UI"
     if config.systemd == SystemdConfig.ALWAYS:
         return "yes", "'always' selected in 'pmbootstrap init'"
     if config.systemd == SystemdConfig.NEVER:
         return "no", "'never' selected in 'pmbootstrap init'"
-    if pmb.helpers.ui.check_option(config.ui, "pmb:systemd"):
+    if pmb.helpers.ui.check_option(config.ui, "pmb:systemd", must_exist=False):
         return "yes", "default for selected UI"
     return "no", "default for selected UI"