diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/pygobject/3.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/pygobject/3.nix
index ac5d4ac44758..ecdaa3e02e9a 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/pygobject/3.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/pygobject/3.nix
@@ -51,6 +51,12 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
     gobject-introspection # e.g. try building: python3Packages.urwid python3Packages.pydbus
   ];
 
+  # Fixes https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/issues/378447
+  preConfigure = lib.optionalString (stdenv.hostPlatform != stdenv.targetPlatform) ''
+    export PKG_CONFIG_PATH=${lib.getDev python}/lib/pkgconfig:$PKG_CONFIG_PATH
+    export PKG_CONFIG_PATH_FOR_BUILD=${lib.getDev python}/lib/pkgconfig:$PKG_CONFIG_PATH_FOR_BUILD
+  '';
+
   mesonFlags = [
     # This is only used for figuring out what version of Python is in
     # use, and related stuff like figuring out what the install prefix