diff --git a/python/dnfdaemon/server/backend.py b/python/dnfdaemon/server/backend.py
index 6d9c8bf..7c36bd2 100644
--- a/python/dnfdaemon/server/backend.py
+++ b/python/dnfdaemon/server/backend.py
@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ def __init__(self, parent):
 
         RELEASEVER = dnf.rpm.detect_releasever(self.conf.installroot)
         self.conf.substitutions['releasever'] = RELEASEVER
+        self.conf.substitutions.update_from_etc(self.conf.installroot)
         self.conf.read()  # read the dnf.conf
         self.read_all_repos()
         self.progress = Progress(parent)