diff --git a/modules/system/sysctl.nix b/modules/system/sysctl.nix
index 7506dead..7ab476f2 100644
--- a/modules/system/sysctl.nix
+++ b/modules/system/sysctl.nix
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@ inputs:
         "vm.oom_dump_tasks" = false;
         "vm.overcommit_memory" = inputs.lib.mkDefault 1;
         "kernel.sysrq" = 438;
+        # set to larger value, otherwise the system will be very slow on low memory machines
+        "vm.vfs_cache_pressure" = 100;
       };
     }
     (inputs.lib.mkIf (sysctl.laptop-mode != null) { boot.kernel.sysctl."vm.laptop_mode" = sysctl.laptop-mode; })