diff --git a/pkgs/applications/window-managers/i3/status.nix b/pkgs/applications/window-managers/i3/status.nix
index 40666b2d2057..6c376fab2d4b 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/window-managers/i3/status.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/window-managers/i3/status.nix
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     maintainers = [ ];
     license = lib.licenses.bsd3;
     platforms = lib.platforms.all;
+    mainProgram = "i3status";
   };
 
 }