diff --git a/pkgs/top-level/lua-packages.nix b/pkgs/top-level/lua-packages.nix
index 27dac458b558..b8555b679339 100644
--- a/pkgs/top-level/lua-packages.nix
+++ b/pkgs/top-level/lua-packages.nix
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ rec {
       };
 
       # The makefile tries to link to `-llua<luaversion>`
-      LUA_LIBS = "-llua";
+      env.LUA_LIBS = "-llua";
 
       buildInputs =
         lib.optionals stdenv.hostPlatform.isLinux [ linux-pam ]