diff --git a/data/fwupd.service.in b/data/fwupd.service.in
index 6bdf39432..0095c5b5a 100644
--- a/data/fwupd.service.in
+++ b/data/fwupd.service.in
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ Description=Firmware update daemon
 Documentation=https://fwupd.org/
 After=dbus.service
 Before=display-manager.service
+ConditionVirtualization=!container
 
 [Service]
 Type=dbus
diff --git a/data/motd/fwupd-refresh.timer b/data/motd/fwupd-refresh.timer
index 5cd67ce61..c72e05a73 100644
--- a/data/motd/fwupd-refresh.timer
+++ b/data/motd/fwupd-refresh.timer
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 [Unit]
 Description=Refresh fwupd metadata regularly
+ConditionVirtualization=!container
 
 [Timer]
 OnCalendar=*-*-* 6,18:00