diff --git a/node.gyp b/node.gyp
index c6aebf473d..c3b766059b 100644
--- a/node.gyp
+++ b/node.gyp
@@ -319,6 +319,9 @@
           'defines': [ '__POSIX__' ],
         }],
         [ 'OS=="mac"', {
+          # linking Corefoundation is needed since certain OSX debugging tools
+          # like Instruments require it for some features
+          'libraries': [ '-framework CoreFoundation' ],
           'defines!': [
             'PLATFORM="mac"',
           ],