diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/indicator-application/gtk3.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/indicator-application/gtk3.nix
index 1d84dba554f9..447d01713dda 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/indicator-application/gtk3.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/indicator-application/gtk3.nix
@@ -59,8 +59,10 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     "localstatedir=\${TMPDIR}"
   ];
 
-  PKG_CONFIG_SYSTEMD_SYSTEMDUSERUNITDIR = "$(out)/lib/systemd/user";
-  PKG_CONFIG_INDICATOR3_0_4_INDICATORDIR = "$(out)/lib/indicators3/7/";
+  env = {
+    PKG_CONFIG_SYSTEMD_SYSTEMDUSERUNITDIR = "$(out)/lib/systemd/user";
+    PKG_CONFIG_INDICATOR3_0_4_INDICATORDIR = "$(out)/lib/indicators3/7/";
+  };
 
   # Upstart is not used in NixOS
   postFixup = ''