diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/mpi4py/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/mpi4py/default.nix
index deb54ab149be..b5f4e403ab38 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/mpi4py/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/mpi4py/default.nix
@@ -38,8 +38,6 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
     # work as expected
   '';
 
-  setupPyBuildFlags = ["--mpicc=${mpi}/bin/mpicc"];
-
   nativeBuildInputs = [ mpi ];
 
   __darwinAllowLocalNetworking = true;