diff --git a/hosts/server/hikari/hako/services/api.nix b/hosts/server/hikari/hako/services/api.nix
index 27d94a0..7e0fe85 100644
--- a/hosts/server/hikari/hako/services/api.nix
+++ b/hosts/server/hikari/hako/services/api.nix
@@ -32,6 +32,10 @@ let
 
     nativeBuildInputs = [ pkgs.bun ];
 
+    # Bun standalone executables contain the bundled application after the
+    # ELF sections; stripping them leaves only the Bun runtime.
+    dontStrip = true;
+
     dontConfigure = true;
 
     buildPhase = ''