diff --git a/gnu/installer/final.scm b/gnu/installer/final.scm
index 45ba1c524be..22c44a27c1e 100644
--- a/gnu/installer/final.scm
+++ b/gnu/installer/final.scm
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ;;; GNU Guix --- Functional package management for GNU
 ;;; Copyright © 2018, 2020 Mathieu Othacehe <m.othacehe@gmail.com>
 ;;; Copyright © 2019, 2020, 2022 Ludovic Courtès <ludo@gnu.org>
-;;; Copyright © 2024 Janneke Nieuwenhuizen <janneke@gnu.org>
+;;; Copyright © 2024,2026 Janneke Nieuwenhuizen <janneke@gnu.org>
 ;;;
 ;;; This file is part of GNU Guix.
 ;;;
@@ -168,8 +168,10 @@ or #f.  Return #t on success and #f on failure."
                             (const '())))
          (install-command (append `( "guix" "system" "init"
                                      "--fallback"
-                                     ,@(if (target-hurd?)
-                                           '("--target=i586-pc-gnu")
+                                     ,@(if (%current-target-system)
+                                           `(,(string-append
+                                               "--target="
+                                               (%current-target-system)))
                                            '()))
                                   options
                                   (list (%installer-configuration-file)
diff --git a/gnu/installer/kernel.scm b/gnu/installer/kernel.scm
index c82b06fb830..a07d24d09a6 100644
--- a/gnu/installer/kernel.scm
+++ b/gnu/installer/kernel.scm
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ;;; GNU Guix --- Functional package management for GNU
-;;; Copyright © 2024 Janneke Nieuwenhuizen <janneke@gnu.org>
+;;; Copyright © 2024, 2026 Janneke Nieuwenhuizen <janneke@gnu.org>
 ;;;
 ;;; This file is part of GNU Guix.
 ;;;
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@
   str)
 
 (define (kernel->configuration kernel dry-run?)
-  (if (equal? kernel "Hurd")
+  (if (string-prefix? "Hurd" kernel)
       `((kernel %hurd-default-operating-system-kernel)
         ,(comment (G_ ";; \"noide\" disables the gnumach IDE driver, enabling rumpdisk.\n"))
         (kernel-arguments '("noide"))
diff --git a/gnu/installer/newt/kernel.scm b/gnu/installer/newt/kernel.scm
index 3117247312f..abf39c6aebd 100644
--- a/gnu/installer/newt/kernel.scm
+++ b/gnu/installer/newt/kernel.scm
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ;;; GNU Guix --- Functional package management for GNU
-;;; Copyright © 2024 Janneke Nieuwenhuizen <janneke@gnu.org>
+;;; Copyright © 2024, 2026 Janneke Nieuwenhuizen <janneke@gnu.org>
 ;;;
 ;;; This file is part of GNU Guix.
 ;;;
@@ -23,23 +23,46 @@
   #:export (run-kernel-page))
 
 (define (run-kernel-page)
-  (let* ((kernels `(,@(if (target-x86?) '("Hurd") '())
-                    "Linux Libre"))
+  ;; TRANSLATORS: "Hurd" is a proper noun and must not be translated.
+  (let* ((hurd-x86 (G_ "Hurd 32-bit (experimental)"))
+         (hurd-x86_64 (G_ "Hurd 64-bit (highly experimental!)"))
+         (linux-libre "Linux Libre")
+         (kernels (parameterize ((%current-target-system #f))
+                    `(,linux-libre
+                      ,@(cond ((target-x86-64?)
+                               (list hurd-x86 hurd-x86_64))
+                              ((target-x86?)
+                               (list hurd-x86))
+                              (else
+                               '())))))
+         (default (cond ((equal? (%current-target-system) "i586-pc-gnu")
+                         hurd-x86)
+                        ((equal? (%current-target-system) "x86_64-pc-gnu")
+                         hurd-x86_64)
+                        (else
+                         linux-libre)))
          (result
           (run-listbox-selection-page
            #:title (G_ "Kernel")
            #:info-text
+           ;; TRANSLATORS: "Hurd" is a proper noun and must not be translated.
+           ;; TRANSLATORS: "Linux Libre" is a literal and must not be translated.
            (G_ "Please select a kernel.  When in doubt, choose \"Linux Libre\".
 The Hurd is offered as a technology preview and development aid; many packages \
-are not yet available in Guix, such as a desktop environment or even a windowing \
-system (X, Wayland).")
+are not yet available in Guix, such as a desktop environment or even a \
+windowing system (X, Wayland).")
            #:listbox-items kernels
            #:listbox-item->text identity
-           #:listbox-default-item "Linux Libre"
+           #:listbox-default-item default
            #:button-text (G_ "Back")
            #:button-callback-procedure
            (lambda _
              (abort-to-prompt 'installer-step 'abort)))))
-    (when (equal? result "Hurd")
-      (%current-target-system "i586-pc-gnu"))
+    (let ((target (cond ((equal? result hurd-x86)
+                         "i586-pc-gnu")
+                        ((equal? result hurd-x86_64)
+                         "x86_64-pc-gnu")
+                        (else
+                         #f))))
+      (%current-target-system target))
     result))