diff --git a/files/docker/docker.service.conf b/files/docker/docker.service.conf
index 73d953ecfdd..ea7f29f5180 100644
--- a/files/docker/docker.service.conf
+++ b/files/docker/docker.service.conf
@@ -1,4 +1,14 @@
+# Docker daemon systemd service override configuration
+#
+# IMPORTANT: The -H fd:// flag is required for systemd socket activation.
+# This allows Docker clients to connect to /var/run/docker.sock before
+# docker.service starts - systemd listens on the socket and passes it to
+# dockerd when the service starts. If changed to -H unix://, dockerd creates
+# a new socket instead of inheriting the one systemd was listening on, causing
+# early Docker commands to hang indefinitely.
+# See: https://github.com/sonic-net/sonic-buildimage/issues/25383
+
 [Service]
 Environment=GODEBUG=netdns=cgo
 ExecStart=
-ExecStart=/usr/bin/dockerd -H unix:// --storage-driver=overlay2 --bip=240.127.1.1/24  --iptables=false --ipv6=true --fixed-cidr-v6=fd00::/80
+ExecStart=/usr/bin/dockerd -H fd:// --storage-driver=overlay2 --bip=240.127.1.1/24  --iptables=false --ipv6=true --fixed-cidr-v6=fd00::/80