diff --git a/pkgs/development/compilers/djgpp/default.nix b/pkgs/development/compilers/djgpp/default.nix
index d6f645f3a31a..1dabc225d9a4 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/compilers/djgpp/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/compilers/djgpp/default.nix
@@ -58,6 +58,10 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
 
   hardeningDisable = [ "format" ];
 
+  # stripping breaks static libs, causing this when you attempt to compile a binary:
+  # error adding symbols: Archive has no index; run ranlib to add one
+  dontStrip = true;
+
   buildPhase = ''
     runHook preBuild
     mkdir download; pushd download