diff --git a/bin/plasma-phone.cmake b/bin/plasma-phone.cmake
index c418019c..0caae9a4 100644
--- a/bin/plasma-phone.cmake
+++ b/bin/plasma-phone.cmake
@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@ export QT_QUICK_CONTROLS_STYLE=Plasma
 
 export GRID_UNIT_PX=25
 
+# upstart user session has useful bits like mtp-server
+init --user &
+
 /usr/bin/kbuildsycoca5
 /usr/bin/kded5&