diff --git a/plugins/scheduler-docker-local/install b/plugins/scheduler-docker-local/install
index 174853aa8..41e05975d 100755
--- a/plugins/scheduler-docker-local/install
+++ b/plugins/scheduler-docker-local/install
@@ -38,9 +38,15 @@ Description=Run dokku-retire.service every 5 minutes
 
 [Timer]
 OnCalendar=*:0/5
+Persistent=true
+
+[Install]
+WantedBy=timers.target
 EOF
     if command -v systemctl &>/dev/null; then
       systemctl --quiet reenable dokku-retire
+      systemctl --quiet enable dokku-retire.timer
+      systemctl --quiet start dokku-retire.timer
     fi
   else
     cat <<EOF >/etc/cron.d/dokku-retire
diff --git a/tests/unit/30_scheduler-docker-local.bats b/tests/unit/30_scheduler-docker-local.bats
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1a2b39336
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/unit/30_scheduler-docker-local.bats
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bats
+
+load test_helper
+
+setup() {
+  global_setup
+}
+
+teardown() {
+  global_teardown
+}
+
+@test "(scheduler-docker-local) timer installed" {
+  run /bin/bash -c "systemctl list-timers | grep dokku-retire"
+  echo "output: $output"
+  echo "status: $status"
+  assert_success
+}