diff --git a/pkgs/development/tools/misc/go-licenses/default.nix b/pkgs/development/tools/misc/go-licenses/default.nix
index c9bc25973a4e3..d6bea02c05bd1 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/tools/misc/go-licenses/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/tools/misc/go-licenses/default.nix
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 { lib
 , buildGoModule
 , fetchFromGitHub
+, go
 , installShellFiles
+, makeWrapper
 }:
 
 buildGoModule rec {
@@ -26,13 +28,23 @@ buildGoModule rec {
 
   nativeBuildInputs = [
     installShellFiles
+    makeWrapper
   ];
 
+  subPackages = [ "." ];
+
+  allowGoReference = true;
+
   postInstall = ''
     installShellCompletion --cmd go-licenses \
       --bash <("$out/bin/go-licenses" completion bash) \
       --fish <("$out/bin/go-licenses" completion fish) \
       --zsh  <("$out/bin/go-licenses" completion zsh)
+
+    # workaround empty output when GOROOT differs from built environment
+    # see https://github.com/google/go-licenses/issues/149
+    wrapProgram "$out/bin/go-licenses" \
+      --set GOROOT '${go}/share/go'
   '';
 
   # Tests require internet connection