diff --git a/weechat.spec b/weechat.spec
index c3a857c..ff2e3d5 100644
--- a/weechat.spec
+++ b/weechat.spec
@@ -160,6 +160,10 @@ pushd build
 %makeinstall
 popd #build
 
+# due to an unknown race condition cmake does not always create a compatibility
+# symlink
+ln -sf %{_bindir}/weechat %{buildroot}%{_bindir}/weechat-curses
+
 install -D -m 0644 "%{SOURCE1}" "%{buildroot}%{_datadir}/applications/%{name}.desktop"
 %if 0%{?suse_version}
 %suse_update_desktop_file -r "%{name}" Network IRCClient