diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/libxmi/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/libxmi/default.nix
index 2d2a0089c443..2446df52a2bc 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/libxmi/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/libxmi/default.nix
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     sha256 = "03d4ikh29l38rl1wavb0icw7m5pp7yilnv7bb2k8qij1dinsymlx";
   };
 
+  CFLAGS = "-std=gnu89";
+
   # For the x86_64 GNU/Linux arch to be recognized by 'configure'
   preConfigure = "cp ${libtool}/share/libtool/build-aux/config.sub .";