diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/gnome/core/gnome-shell/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/gnome/core/gnome-shell/default.nix
index 34ca6b90190f..8c3f65f749e7 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/gnome/core/gnome-shell/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/gnome/core/gnome-shell/default.nix
@@ -202,6 +202,8 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     done
   '';
 
+  separateDebugInfo = true;
+
   passthru = {
     mozillaPlugin = "/lib/mozilla/plugins";
     updateScript = gnome.updateScript {