diff --git a/pkgs/applications/version-management/sparkleshare/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/version-management/sparkleshare/default.nix
index a13f25e68195..ef7da9d880bf 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/version-management/sparkleshare/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/version-management/sparkleshare/default.nix
@@ -49,6 +49,9 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   ];
 
   patchPhase = ''
+    # SparkleShare's default desktop file falls back to flatpak.
+    sed -ie "s_^Exec=.*_Exec=$out/bin/sparkleshare_" SparkleShare/Linux/SparkleShare.Autostart.desktop
+
     # Nix will manage the icon cache.
     echo '#!/bin/sh' >scripts/post-install.sh
   '';