diff --git a/pkgs/development/tools/wp-cli/default.nix b/pkgs/development/tools/wp-cli/default.nix
index 9dfd3b7e7289..af6aa6061b0b 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/tools/wp-cli/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/tools/wp-cli/default.nix
@@ -25,6 +25,9 @@ let
   '';
 
   ini = writeText "wp-cli.ini" ''
+    [PHP]
+    memory_limit = 512M ; composer can be a bit of a memory pig
+
     [Phar]
     phar.readonly = Off
   '';