diff --git a/pkgs/build-support/trivial-builders/default.nix b/pkgs/build-support/trivial-builders/default.nix
index d3cb22a1f53..7152f9a1be4 100644
--- a/pkgs/build-support/trivial-builders/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/build-support/trivial-builders/default.nix
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ rec {
     runCommand name
       { inherit text executable checkPhase allowSubstitutes preferLocalBuild;
         passAsFile = [ "text" ];
-        meta = lib.optionalAttrs (executable && matches != null) {
+        meta = lib.optionalAttrs (toString executable != "" && matches != null) {
           mainProgram = lib.head matches;
         } // meta;
       }