diff --git a/src/systemctl/systemctl-show.c b/src/systemctl/systemctl-show.c
index 29f1f7fd32..c3a9ba763d 100644
--- a/src/systemctl/systemctl-show.c
+++ b/src/systemctl/systemctl-show.c
@@ -2090,7 +2090,7 @@ static int show_system_status(sd_bus *bus) {
                FORMAT_TIMESTAMP_STYLE(mi.timestamp, arg_timestamp_style),
                FORMAT_TIMESTAMP_RELATIVE(mi.timestamp));
 
-        printf("   CGroup: %s\n", mi.control_group ?: "/");
+        printf("   CGroup: %s\n", empty_to_root(mi.control_group));
         if (IN_SET(arg_transport,
                    BUS_TRANSPORT_LOCAL,
                    BUS_TRANSPORT_MACHINE)) {