diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/stevesoltys/seedvault/restore/install/ApkRestore.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/stevesoltys/seedvault/restore/install/ApkRestore.kt
index 168ff7e5..85013361 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/stevesoltys/seedvault/restore/install/ApkRestore.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/stevesoltys/seedvault/restore/install/ApkRestore.kt
@@ -63,6 +63,9 @@ internal class ApkRestore(
             // The @pm@ package needs to be included in [backup], but can't be installed like an app
             if (packageName == MAGIC_PACKAGE_MANAGER) return@mapNotNull null
             // we don't filter out apps without APK, so the user can manually install them
+            // exception is system apps without APK, as those can usually not be installed manually
+            if (metadata.system && !metadata.hasApk()) return@mapNotNull null
+            // apps that made it here get a state class for tracking
             ApkInstallResult(
                 packageName = packageName,
                 state = if (isAllowedToInstallApks) QUEUED else FAILED,
diff --git a/app/src/test/java/com/stevesoltys/seedvault/restore/install/ApkRestoreTest.kt b/app/src/test/java/com/stevesoltys/seedvault/restore/install/ApkRestoreTest.kt
index dd31e429..2cb74bd5 100644
--- a/app/src/test/java/com/stevesoltys/seedvault/restore/install/ApkRestoreTest.kt
+++ b/app/src/test/java/com/stevesoltys/seedvault/restore/install/ApkRestoreTest.kt
@@ -427,6 +427,32 @@ internal class ApkRestoreTest : TransportTest() {
         }
     }
 
+    @Test
+    fun `system app without APK get filtered out`() = runBlocking {
+        // only backed up package is a system app without an APK
+        packageMetadataMap[packageName] = PackageMetadata(
+            time = 23L,
+            system = true,
+            isLaunchableSystemApp = Random.nextBoolean(),
+        ).also { assertFalse(it.hasApk()) }
+
+        every { installRestriction.isAllowedToInstallApks() } returns true
+        every { storagePlugin.providerPackageName } returns storageProviderPackageName
+
+        apkRestore.installResult.test {
+            awaitItem() // initial empty state
+            apkRestore.restore(backup)
+
+            awaitItem().also { finishedItem ->
+                println(finishedItem.installResults.values.toList())
+                // the only package provided should have been filtered, leaving 0 packages.
+                assertEquals(0, finishedItem.total)
+                assertTrue(finishedItem.isFinished)
+            }
+            ensureAllEventsConsumed()
+        }
+    }
+
     @Test
     fun `no apks get installed when blocked by policy`() = runBlocking {
         every { installRestriction.isAllowedToInstallApks() } returns false