diff --git a/doc/guix.texi b/doc/guix.texi
index 070528667fa..eebc1a15902 100644
--- a/doc/guix.texi
+++ b/doc/guix.texi
@@ -30416,7 +30416,7 @@ The @code{ngircd} package to use.
 @item @code{debug?} (default: @code{#f}) (type: boolean)
 Turn on debugging messages.
 
-@item @code{shepherd-requirement} (default: @code{(user-processes)}) (type: list-of-symbols)
+@item @code{shepherd-requirement} (default: @code{(user-processes networking)}) (type: list-of-symbols)
 Shepherd requirements the service should depend on.
 
 @item @code{global} (type: ngircd-global)
diff --git a/gnu/services/messaging.scm b/gnu/services/messaging.scm
index 2a93d42bf2a..adcc75dd1d0 100644
--- a/gnu/services/messaging.scm
+++ b/gnu/services/messaging.scm
@@ -1424,7 +1424,7 @@ for different users.  Refer to @samp{man 5 ngircd.conf} for more details.")
    "Turn on debugging messages."
    (serializer empty-serializer))
   (shepherd-requirement
-   (list-of-symbols '(user-processes))
+   (list-of-symbols '(user-processes networking))
    "Shepherd requirements the service should depend on."
    (serializer empty-serializer))
   (global