diff --git a/pkgs/games/wesnoth/default.nix b/pkgs/games/wesnoth/default.nix
index 80c16f190da7..5bc291439b5d 100644
--- a/pkgs/games/wesnoth/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/games/wesnoth/default.nix
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
   lua,
   curl,
   fetchpatch,
+  nix-update-script,
 }:
 
 stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
@@ -121,6 +122,15 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     chmod +x "$out/bin/wesnoth"
   '';
 
+  passthru.updateScript = nix-update-script {
+    extraArgs = [
+      "--version-regex"
+      # the minor release number also denotes if this is a beta release:
+      # even is stable, odd is beta
+      "^(\\d+\\.\\d*[02468]\\.\\d+)$"
+    ];
+  };
+
   meta = with lib; {
     description = "Battle for Wesnoth, a free, turn-based strategy game with a fantasy theme";
     longDescription = ''