diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/nbmake/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/nbmake/default.nix
index 4c6d46e6d470..d070f39853cb 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/nbmake/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/nbmake/default.nix
@@ -56,6 +56,10 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
     typing-extensions
   ];
 
+  preCheck = ''
+    export HOME=$(mktemp -d)
+  '';
+
   __darwinAllowLocalNetworking = true;
 
   meta = {