diff --git a/install/install.sh b/install/install.sh
index f6f7ff2..cc9246b 100755
--- a/install/install.sh
+++ b/install/install.sh
@@ -100,7 +100,14 @@ function install_mysql() {
   
   # Start and enable MySQL
   systemctl enable mysql
-  systemctl start mysql
+
+  # Add sql-mode to MySQL config so it persists across reboots
+  cat >/etc/mysql/mysql.conf.d/bhima.cnf <<EOF
+[mysqld]
+sql-mode='STRICT_ALL_TABLES,NO_UNSIGNED_SUBTRACTION'
+EOF
+
+  systemctl restart mysql
   
   # create the ~/my.cnf file with the mysql credentials
   cat <<EOF >"/root/.my.cnf"