diff --git a/hosts/common/programs/xdg-utils.nix b/hosts/common/programs/xdg-utils.nix
index 8f4af6269..a41c169b0 100644
--- a/hosts/common/programs/xdg-utils.nix
+++ b/hosts/common/programs/xdg-utils.nix
@@ -10,6 +10,10 @@
     # this will be true of nearly all sandboxed applications, but for those which it is not, `sandbox.method = "capshonly"` may be necessary
     sandbox.enable = false;
 
+    # `mimetype` provides better mime associations than `file`
+    # - see: <https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/pull/285233#issuecomment-1940828629>
+    suggestedPrograms = [ "perlPackages.FileMimeInfo" ];
+
     # alternative to letting the sandbox decide for itself: forcibly use the portal
     #   if the mime association list is not visible/in scope.
     # packageUnwrapped = pkgs.xdg-utils.overrideAttrs (base: {