diff --git a/src/nix/main.cc b/src/nix/main.cc
index d78312944..f008ea2b7 100644
--- a/src/nix/main.cc
+++ b/src/nix/main.cc
@@ -369,6 +369,13 @@ void mainWrapped(int argc, char * * argv)
         && args.command->first != "upgrade-nix")
         settings.requireExperimentalFeature(Xp::NixCommand);
 
+    if (args.command->first == "show-config") {
+        // show-config must run before any settings are modified so that it outputs the defaults
+        args.command->second->prepare();
+        args.command->second->run();
+        return;
+    }
+
     if (args.useNet && !haveInternet()) {
         warn("you don't have Internet access; disabling some network-dependent features");
         args.useNet = false;