diff --git a/modules/installer.nix b/modules/installer.nix
index 05eebe12c..2a3040d86 100644
--- a/modules/installer.nix
+++ b/modules/installer.nix
@@ -37,7 +37,8 @@
   services.getty.autologinUser = lib.mkForce "root";
   programs.bash.interactiveShellInit = ''
     if [ "$(tty)" = "/dev/tty1" ]; then
-      until test -e /var/shared/qrcode.utf8; do sleep 1; done
+      echo 'waiting for tor to generate the hidden service'
+      until test -e /var/shared/qrcode.utf8; do echo .; sleep 1; done
       cat /var/shared/qrcode.utf8
     fi
   '';