diff --git a/deploy-initial b/deploy-initial
index ac9527a..70df702 100755
--- a/deploy-initial
+++ b/deploy-initial
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 
 set -o errexit -o nounset -o pipefail
+shopt -s expand_aliases
 
 . hosts.sh
 
@@ -15,6 +16,8 @@ readonly remote=root@$ip
 
 readonly drive=$(ssh $remote '[[ -e /dev/sda ]] && echo sda || echo vda')
 
+alias rsync='rsync --preallocate'
+
 # check for Arch ISO
 ssh $remote '[[ $(grep IMAGE_ID /etc/os-release) = "IMAGE_ID=archlinux" ]]' || exit 5
 ssh $remote '[[ $(grep IMAGE_VERSION /etc/os-release) = "IMAGE_VERSION=2025.05.01" ]]' || exit 5