diff --git a/src/run/run.c b/src/run/run.c
index 741f7b279f..627a6b11da 100644
--- a/src/run/run.c
+++ b/src/run/run.c
@@ -593,10 +593,6 @@ static int parse_argv(int argc, char *argv[]) {
                 return log_error_errno(SYNTHETIC_ERRNO(EINVAL),
                                        "--remain-after-exit and --service-type= are not supported in --scope mode.");
 
-        if (arg_scope && arg_working_directory)
-                return log_error_errno(SYNTHETIC_ERRNO(EINVAL),
-                                       "--working-directory is not supported in --scope mode.");
-
         if (arg_stdio != ARG_STDIO_NONE && (with_trigger || arg_scope))
                 return log_error_errno(SYNTHETIC_ERRNO(EINVAL),
                                        "--pty/--pipe is not compatible in timer or --scope mode.");
@@ -1533,6 +1529,9 @@ static int start_transient_scope(sd_bus *bus) {
                         return log_error_errno(errno, "Failed to change UID to " UID_FMT ": %m", uid);
         }
 
+        if (arg_working_directory && chdir(arg_working_directory) < 0)
+                return log_error_errno(errno, "Failed to change directory to '%s': %m", arg_working_directory);
+
         env = strv_env_merge(environ, user_env, arg_environment);
         if (!env)
                 return log_oom();