diff --git a/pkgs/tools/package-management/appimage-run/default.nix b/pkgs/tools/package-management/appimage-run/default.nix
index 49fe307667af..6f31be56dbed 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/package-management/appimage-run/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/package-management/appimage-run/default.nix
@@ -10,6 +10,12 @@ in buildFHSUserEnv (fhsArgs // {
 
   runScript = writeScript "appimage-exec" ''
     #!${runtimeShell}
+    if [ $# -eq 0 ]; then 
+      echo "Usage: $0 FILE [OPTION...]"
+      echo
+      echo "If you want to execute a custom command in the appimage's environment, set the APPIMAGE_DEBUG_EXEC environment variable."
+      exit 1
+    fi
     APPIMAGE="$(realpath "$1")"
 
     if [ ! -x "$APPIMAGE" ]; then