diff --git a/machine/backyard/samba.nix b/machine/backyard/samba.nix
index 7ce77b8..938500a 100644
--- a/machine/backyard/samba.nix
+++ b/machine/backyard/samba.nix
@@ -39,7 +39,9 @@
       hide dot files = no
       hosts allow = 10.22.20., 192.168.1.
       map archive = no
-      unix extensions = yes
+      # this must be set to false to make symlinks outside /home work
+      # could potentially be fixed by mounting pool to /home, bind mounting to /pool, and setting both nofail
+      unix extensions = no
 
       ntlm auth = yes
     '';
@@ -55,6 +57,8 @@
         "directory mask" = "0750";
         "force directory mode" = "0750";
         "valid users" = "${user}";
+        "follow symlinks" = "yes";
+        "wide links" = "yes";
       };
     in {
       tvb = homeShare "tvb";