diff --git a/pkgs/build-support/appimage/default.nix b/pkgs/build-support/appimage/default.nix
index ef7da72fda93ef..6db626464fb7f1 100644
--- a/pkgs/build-support/appimage/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/build-support/appimage/default.nix
@@ -75,6 +75,8 @@ rec {
       krb5
     ];
 
+    # list of libraries expected in an appimage environment:
+    # https://github.com/AppImage/pkg2appimage/blob/master/excludelist
     multiPkgs = pkgs: with pkgs; [
       desktop-file-utils
       xorg.libXcomposite
@@ -171,6 +173,17 @@ rec {
       xorg.libXft
       libvdpau
       alsaLib
+
+      harfbuzz
+      e2fsprogs
+      libgpgerror
+      keyutils.lib
+      libjack2
+      fribidi
+
+      # libraries not on the upstream include list, but nevertheless expected
+      # by at least one appimage
+      libtool.lib # for Synfigstudio
     ];
   };
 }
diff --git a/pkgs/tools/package-management/appimage-run/default.nix b/pkgs/tools/package-management/appimage-run/default.nix
index 49fe307667af55..54abfa89991a37 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/package-management/appimage-run/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/package-management/appimage-run/default.nix
@@ -10,7 +10,15 @@ in buildFHSUserEnv (fhsArgs // {
 
   runScript = writeScript "appimage-exec" ''
     #!${runtimeShell}
+    if [ $# -eq 0 ]; then 
+      echo "Usage: $0 FILE [OPTION...]"
+      echo
+      echo 'Options are passed on to the appimage.'
+      echo "If you want to execute a custom command in the appimage's environment, set the APPIMAGE_DEBUG_EXEC environment variable."
+      exit 1
+    fi
     APPIMAGE="$(realpath "$1")"
+    shift
 
     if [ ! -x "$APPIMAGE" ]; then
       echo "fatal: $APPIMAGE is not executable"
@@ -43,6 +51,6 @@ in buildFHSUserEnv (fhsArgs // {
       exec "$APPIMAGE_DEBUG_EXEC"
     fi
 
-    exec ./AppRun
+    exec ./AppRun "$@"
   '';
 })