diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/qtinstaller/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/qtinstaller/default.nix
index c551ff49889b..258a6b7d2229 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/qtinstaller/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/qtinstaller/default.nix
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   ];
 
   setOutputFlags = false;
-  NIX_QT_SUBMODULE = true;
+  env.NIX_QT_SUBMODULE = true;
   dontWrapQtApps = true;
 
   installPhase = ''