diff --git a/pkgs/tools/typesetting/tex/nix/default.nix b/pkgs/tools/typesetting/tex/nix/default.nix
index 5cd5515400d..ce5c025475a 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/typesetting/tex/nix/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/typesetting/tex/nix/default.nix
@@ -17,7 +17,9 @@ rec {
     assert generatePDF -> !generatePS;
 
     let
-      tex = pkgs.texlive.combine texPackages;
+      tex = pkgs.texlive.combine
+        # always include basic stuff you need for LaTeX
+        ({inherit (pkgs.texlive) scheme-basic;} // texPackages);
     in
 
     pkgs.stdenv.mkDerivation {