diff --git a/deployment/check/common/targetNode.nix b/deployment/check/common/targetNode.nix
index c5986a28..1a0c221d 100644
--- a/deployment/check/common/targetNode.nix
+++ b/deployment/check/common/targetNode.nix
@@ -29,12 +29,11 @@ in
       system.switch.enable = true;
 
       nix = {
+        # short-cut network time-outs
+        settings.download-attempts = 1;
         ## Not used; save a large copy operation
         channel.enable = false;
         registry = lib.mkForce { };
-        settings = {
-          download-attempts = 1;
-        };
       };
 
       services.openssh = {