diff --git a/gnu/packages/zig-xyz.scm b/gnu/packages/zig-xyz.scm
index 200b5c9940..f01c120cc3 100644
--- a/gnu/packages/zig-xyz.scm
+++ b/gnu/packages/zig-xyz.scm
@@ -52,7 +52,17 @@ (define-public river
     (build-system zig-build-system)
     (arguments
      (list
-      #:zig-build-flags #~(list "-Dxwayland")   ;experimental xwayland support
+      #:phases
+      #~(modify-phases %standard-phases
+          (add-after 'install 'install-wayland-session
+            (lambda* (#:key outputs #:allow-other-keys)
+              (let* ((out (assoc-ref outputs "out"))
+                     (wayland-sessions
+                      (string-append out "/share/wayland-sessions")))
+                (mkdir-p wayland-sessions)
+                (install-file "contrib/river.desktop"
+                              wayland-sessions)))))
+      #:zig-build-flags #~(list "-Dxwayland") ;experimental xwayland support
       #:zig-release-type "safe"))
     (native-inputs (list libevdev
                          libxkbcommon