diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 86d1d9e..cc5e76c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -134,11 +134,13 @@ $ echo "use nix" >> .envrc
 $ direnv allow
 ```
 
-## Experimental flakes support
+## Flakes support
 
 nix-direnv also comes with a flake alternative. The code is tested and works however
 since future nix versions might change their api regarding this feature we cannot
 guarantee stability after an nix upgrade.
+Likewise `use_nix` the `use_flake` implementation will prevent garbage
+collection of downloaded packages and also for flake inputs.
 
 Save this file as `flake.nix`:
 
diff --git a/direnvrc b/direnvrc
index 59cb14d..8c3055a 100644
--- a/direnvrc
+++ b/direnvrc
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ use_flake() {
   watch_file flake.lock
 
   local profile="$(direnv_layout_dir)/flake-profile"
+  local flake="$(direnv_layout_dir)/flake"
   local profile_rc="${profile}.rc"
 
   if [[ ! -e "$profile"
@@ -72,6 +73,11 @@ use_flake() {
     echo "$tmp_profile_rc" > "$profile_rc"
     rm -f "$tmp_profile" "$tmp_profile"*
     _nix_add_gcroot "$drv" "$profile"
+
+    # also add garbage collection root for source
+    local flake_source=$(nix eval --impure --raw --expr 'builtins.getFlake (toString ./.)')
+    _nix_add_gcroot "$flake_source" "$flake"
+
     log_status renewed cache
   else
     log_status using cached dev shell