diff --git a/packaging/everything.nix b/packaging/everything.nix
index 2b47c31bbf5..0974a34df50 100644
--- a/packaging/everything.nix
+++ b/packaging/everything.nix
@@ -93,6 +93,7 @@ let
       libs = throw "`nix.dev.libs` is not meant to be used; use `nix.libs` instead.";
     };
     meta = {
+      mainProgram = "nix";
       pkgConfigModules = [
         "nix-cmd"
         "nix-expr"
diff --git a/src/nix/package.nix b/src/nix/package.nix
index 89c52c3bb05..6e59adc3800 100644
--- a/src/nix/package.nix
+++ b/src/nix/package.nix
@@ -103,6 +103,7 @@ mkMesonExecutable (finalAttrs: {
   ];
 
   meta = {
+    mainProgram = "nix";
     platforms = lib.platforms.unix ++ lib.platforms.windows;
   };