diff --git a/modules/applications/swaylock/system.nix b/modules/applications/swaylock/system.nix
index 28304d2..eaa0bc5 100644
--- a/modules/applications/swaylock/system.nix
+++ b/modules/applications/swaylock/system.nix
@@ -15,5 +15,12 @@ in
     services.systemd-lock-handler.enable = true;
 
     security.pam.services.swaylock.fprintAuth = true;
+
+    # PAM authentication is serial.  Let a supplied password succeed before
+    # starting fprintd, whose scan otherwise blocks password verification until
+    # its timeout expires.  Submit an empty password to start fingerprint
+    # authentication in upstream swaylock.
+    security.pam.services.swaylock.rules.auth.fprintd.order =
+      config.security.pam.services.swaylock.rules.auth.unix.order + 50;
   };
 }