diff --git a/pkgs/os-specific/linux/zfs/generic.nix b/pkgs/os-specific/linux/zfs/generic.nix
index 8ab888ecc789..ac55f618dccc 100644
--- a/pkgs/os-specific/linux/zfs/generic.nix
+++ b/pkgs/os-specific/linux/zfs/generic.nix
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ let
         ++ optional (buildUser && enablePython) python3;
 
       # for zdb to get the rpath to libgcc_s, needed for pthread_cancel to work
-      NIX_CFLAGS_LINK = "-lgcc_s";
+      env.NIX_CFLAGS_LINK = "-lgcc_s";
 
       hardeningDisable = [
         "fortify"