diff --git a/plinth/modules/cockpit/__init__.py b/plinth/modules/cockpit/__init__.py
index 2d55c7e6d..b05cd7044 100644
--- a/plinth/modules/cockpit/__init__.py
+++ b/plinth/modules/cockpit/__init__.py
@@ -35,6 +35,8 @@ from .manifest import backup, clients  # noqa, pylint: disable=unused-import
 
 version = 1
 
+is_essential = True
+
 managed_services = ['cockpit.socket']
 
 managed_packages = ['cockpit']