diff --git a/pkgs/tools/networking/openssh/common.nix b/pkgs/tools/networking/openssh/common.nix
index 40011a14c893..eaa42039dbaa 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/networking/openssh/common.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/networking/openssh/common.nix
@@ -123,5 +123,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     license = licenses.bsd2;
     platforms = platforms.unix ++ platforms.windows;
     maintainers = with maintainers; [ eelco aneeshusa ];
+    mainProgram = "ssh";
   } // extraMeta;
 }