diff --git a/pkgs/top-level/php-packages.nix b/pkgs/top-level/php-packages.nix
index 0b9f4237327b..69d849f2208b 100644
--- a/pkgs/top-level/php-packages.nix
+++ b/pkgs/top-level/php-packages.nix
@@ -58,7 +58,9 @@ lib.makeScope pkgs.newScope (self: with self; {
   # with how buildPecl does it and make the file easier to overview.
   mkDerivation = { pname, ... }@args: pkgs.stdenv.mkDerivation (args // {
     pname = "php-${pname}";
-    meta.mainProgram = args.meta.mainProgram or pname;
+    meta = args.meta // {
+      mainProgram = args.meta.mainProgram or pname;
+    };
   });
 
   # Function to build an extension which is shipped as part of the php