diff --git a/files/build_templates/swss.service.j2 b/files/build_templates/swss.service.j2
index 1fc9127f260e..c05ba4d7a493 100644
--- a/files/build_templates/swss.service.j2
+++ b/files/build_templates/swss.service.j2
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ ExecStartPre=/usr/bin/docker exec database redis-cli -n 1 FLUSHDB
 ExecStartPre=/usr/bin/docker exec database redis-cli -n 2 FLUSHDB
 
 {% if sonic_asic_platform == 'mellanox' %}
+Environment=FAST_BOOT=1
 ExecStartPre=/etc/init.d/sxdkernel start
 ExecStartPre=/usr/bin/mst start
 ExecStartPre=/sbin/modprobe i2c-dev