diff --git a/pkgs/applications/video/mplayer/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/video/mplayer/default.nix
index 02c88b92919..f00b5aabf97 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/video/mplayer/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/video/mplayer/default.nix
@@ -199,6 +199,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
        optional  fontconfigSupport "-lfontconfig"
     ++ optional  fribidiSupport "-lfribidi"
     ++ optionals x11Support [ "-lX11" "-lXext" ]
+    ++ [ "-lfreetype" ]
   );
 
   installTargets = [ "install" ] ++ stdenv.lib.optional x11Support "install-gui";