diff --git a/nixos/modules/installer/cd-dvd/sd-image-aarch64.nix b/nixos/modules/installer/cd-dvd/sd-image-aarch64.nix
index 063ffb191ee..8d80ceff84e 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/installer/cd-dvd/sd-image-aarch64.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/installer/cd-dvd/sd-image-aarch64.nix
@@ -27,7 +27,8 @@ in
   boot.loader.generic-extlinux-compatible.enable = true;
 
   boot.kernelPackages = pkgs.linuxPackages_latest;
-  boot.kernelParams = ["console=ttyS0,115200n8" "console=tty0"];
+  # Increase the amount of CMA to ensure the virtual console on the RPi3 works.
+  boot.kernelParams = ["cma=32M" "console=ttyS0,115200n8" "console=tty0"];
   boot.consoleLogLevel = 7;
 
   # FIXME: this probably should be in installation-device.nix