diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/mpl-data/kpsewhich.lua b/lib/matplotlib/mpl-data/kpsewhich.lua
index be07b5858ae8..8e9172a45082 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/mpl-data/kpsewhich.lua
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/mpl-data/kpsewhich.lua
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 -- see dviread._LuatexKpsewhich
-kpse.set_program_name("tex")
+kpse.set_program_name("latex")
 while true do print(kpse.lookup(io.read():gsub("\r", ""))); io.flush(); end