diff --git a/pkgs/by-name/ns/nspr/package.nix b/pkgs/by-name/ns/nspr/package.nix
index e23c676c7b0a..570e63c71779 100644
--- a/pkgs/by-name/ns/nspr/package.nix
+++ b/pkgs/by-name/ns/nspr/package.nix
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation (finalAttrs: {
     substituteInPlace configure.in --replace '@executable_path/' "$out/lib/"
   '';
 
-  HOST_CC = "cc";
+  env.HOST_CC = "cc";
   depsBuildBuild = [ buildPackages.stdenv.cc ];
   configureFlags = [
     "--enable-optimize"