diff --git a/pkgs/tools/misc/minicom/2.3.nix b/pkgs/tools/misc/minicom/2.3.nix
index 1b9b0e624706..9be249231c37 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/misc/minicom/2.3.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/misc/minicom/2.3.nix
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ rec {
   };
 
   buildInputs = [ncurses];
-  configureFlags = [];
+  configureFlags = [ "--sysconfdir=/etc" ];
 
   /* doConfigure should be specified separately */
   phaseNames = [ "doConfigure" "doMakeInstall"];