diff --git a/pkgs/applications/science/math/mathematica/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/science/math/mathematica/default.nix
index 34e3aaa14382..af8826388977 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/science/math/mathematica/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/science/math/mathematica/default.nix
@@ -90,10 +90,15 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     cd Installer
     # don't restrict PATH, that has already been done
     sed -i -e 's/^PATH=/# PATH=/' MathInstaller
-    sed -i -e 's/\/bin\/bash/\/bin\/sh/' MathInstaller
+
+    # Fix the installation script as follows:
+    # 1. Adjust the shebang
+    # 2. Use the wrapper in the desktop items
+    substituteInPlace MathInstaller \
+      --replace "/bin/bash" "/bin/sh" \
+      --replace "Executables/Mathematica" "../../bin/mathematica"
 
     # Install the desktop items
-    sed -i -e 's/Executables\/Mathematica/..\/..\/bin\/mathematica/' MathInstaller
     export XDG_DATA_HOME="$out/share"
 
     echo "=== Running MathInstaller ==="