diff --git a/linux/system/motd.sls b/linux/system/motd.sls
index ea8d9ad..f6cdc47 100644
--- a/linux/system/motd.sls
+++ b/linux/system/motd.sls
@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@
     - repl: "/run/motd"
 {%- endif %}
 
+/etc/motd:
+  file.absent
+
 {%- for motd in system.motd %}
 {%- set motd_index = loop.index %}