diff --git a/contrib/systemd/synapse.service b/contrib/systemd/synapse.service
index b71be582c..3f037055b 100644
--- a/contrib/systemd/synapse.service
+++ b/contrib/systemd/synapse.service
@@ -10,8 +10,9 @@ Type=simple
 User=synapse
 Group=synapse
 WorkingDirectory=/var/lib/synapse
-ExecStart=/usr/bin/synctl start /etc/synapse/homeserver.yaml
+ExecStart=/usr/bin/python2.7 -m synapse.app.homeserver --config-path=/etc/synapse/homeserver.yaml
 ExecStop=/usr/bin/synctl stop /etc/synapse/homeserver.yaml
 
 [Install]
 WantedBy=multi-user.target
+