diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/jupyterlab_server/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/jupyterlab_server/default.nix
index 1ed563ed08f8..fffaeca691d6 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/jupyterlab_server/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/jupyterlab_server/default.nix
@@ -42,6 +42,10 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
     ruamel-yaml
   ];
 
+  preCheck = ''
+    export HOME=$(mktemp -d)
+  '';
+
   __darwinAllowLocalNetworking = true;
 
   meta = with lib; {