diff --git a/srcpkgs/tzdata/template b/srcpkgs/tzdata/template
index 8e8f7afd8dc..2f74ce63f47 100644
--- a/srcpkgs/tzdata/template
+++ b/srcpkgs/tzdata/template
@@ -23,6 +23,9 @@ do_install() {
 
 	zic -y ./yearistype -d ${DESTDIR}/usr/share/zoneinfo ${timezones}
 	zic -y ./yearistype -d ${DESTDIR}/usr/share/zoneinfo/posix ${timezones}
+
+	# generate leapseconds file
+	awk -f leapseconds.awk leap-seconds.list > leapseconds && echo "leapseconds file generated"
 	zic -y ./yearistype -d ${DESTDIR}/usr/share/zoneinfo/right -L leapseconds ${timezones}
 	zic -y ./yearistype -d ${DESTDIR}/usr/share/zoneinfo -p America/New_York
 	install -m444 -t ${DESTDIR}/usr/share/zoneinfo iso3166.tab zone.tab