diff --git a/pkgs/development/tools/misc/gperf/default.nix b/pkgs/development/tools/misc/gperf/default.nix
index c6b6e89495c0..bdc3b7a4a852 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/tools/misc/gperf/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/tools/misc/gperf/default.nix
@@ -37,5 +37,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
 
     homepage = "https://www.gnu.org/software/gperf/";
     platforms = lib.platforms.unix;
+    mainProgram = "gperf";
   };
 }