diff --git a/pkgs/tools/misc/parallel/default.nix b/pkgs/tools/misc/parallel/default.nix
index c36393dab29..704f30d9dbe 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/misc/parallel/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/misc/parallel/default.nix
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-{ fetchurl, lib, stdenv, perl, makeWrapper, procps, coreutils }:
+{ fetchurl, lib, stdenv, perl, makeWrapper, procps, coreutils, buildPackages }:
 
 stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   pname = "parallel";
@@ -14,6 +14,11 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   nativeBuildInputs = [ makeWrapper ];
   buildInputs = [ perl procps ];
 
+  postPatch = lib.optionalString (!stdenv.buildPlatform.canExecute stdenv.hostPlatform) ''
+    substituteInPlace Makefile.in \
+      --replace '$(DESTDIR)$(bindir)/parallel --shell-completion' '${lib.getExe buildPackages.parallel} --shell-completion'
+  '';
+
   preInstall = ''
     patchShebangs ./src/parallel
   '';
@@ -48,5 +53,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     license = licenses.gpl3Plus;
     platforms = platforms.all;
     maintainers = with maintainers; [ pSub vrthra tomberek ];
+    mainProgram = "parallel";
   };
 }