diff --git a/main.c b/main.c
index 5b4809ab..b572eebe 100644
--- a/main.c
+++ b/main.c
@@ -544,6 +544,9 @@ sexp run_main (int argc, char **argv) {
     if (i < argc)
       for (j=argc-1; j>=i; j--)
         args = sexp_cons(ctx, tmp=sexp_c_string(ctx,argv[j],-1), args);
+    /* if no script name, use interpreter name */
+    if (i >= argc || main_symbol != NULL)
+      args = sexp_cons(ctx, tmp=sexp_c_string(ctx,argv[0],-1), args);
     load_init(i < argc || main_symbol != NULL);
     sexp_set_parameter(ctx, sexp_meta_env(ctx), sym=sexp_intern(ctx, sexp_argv_symbol, -1), args);
     if (i >= argc && main_symbol == NULL) {