diff --git a/home/profile/base.nix b/home/profile/base.nix
index 9566e77..2072293 100644
--- a/home/profile/base.nix
+++ b/home/profile/base.nix
@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@ in
   config = lib.mkIf cfg.enable {
     nixfiles.programs.comma.enable = true;
 
+    # this makes xdg.mimeApps overwrite mimeapps.list if it has been touched by something else
+    xdg.configFile."mimeapps.list".force = true;
+
     # TODO move this stuff to a zsh.nix or something; this is just a quick fix so home.sessionVariables works
     home.shellAliases = {
       v = "nvim";