diff --git a/pkgs/applications/networking/instant-messengers/bitlbee/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/networking/instant-messengers/bitlbee/default.nix
index 41a698be290..d7c52ccfd6b 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/networking/instant-messengers/bitlbee/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/networking/instant-messengers/bitlbee/default.nix
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     "--gcov=1"
     "--otr=1"
     "--ssl=gnutls"
+    "--pidfile=/var/lib/bitlbee/bitlbee.pid"
   ];
 
   buildPhase = ''