diff --git a/desktop/meson.build b/desktop/meson.build
index 15a69209..56e39d2f 100644
--- a/desktop/meson.build
+++ b/desktop/meson.build
@@ -21,11 +21,13 @@ i18n.merge_file(
 
 # Contractor file (Elementary OS)
 if install_contractor_file
-  i18n.merge_file(
+
+  msgfmt = find_program('msgfmt')
+
+  custom_target(
     input: 'geary-attach.contract.desktop.in',
     output: 'geary-attach.contract',
-    type: 'desktop',
-    po_dir: po_dir,
+    command: [msgfmt, '--desktop', '--keyword=Description', '--template', '@INPUT@', '-d', po_dir, '-o', '@OUTPUT@'],
     install: true,
     install_dir: join_paths(datadir, 'contractor')
   )
diff --git a/po/meson.build b/po/meson.build
index f904cde4..5a7309d8 100644
--- a/po/meson.build
+++ b/po/meson.build
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
 i18n.gettext(meson.project_name(),
-  preset: 'glib'
+  preset: 'glib',
+  args: '--keyword=Description'
 )