diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/science/math/suitesparse/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/science/math/suitesparse/default.nix
index 7712a2890f1b..f38de0884244 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/science/math/suitesparse/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/science/math/suitesparse/default.nix
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation {
     "LAPACK="
   ];
 
-  NIX_CFLAGS = stdenv.lib.optionalString stdenv.isDarwin " -DNTIMER";
+  NIX_CFLAGS_COMPILE = stdenv.lib.optionalString stdenv.isDarwin " -DNTIMER";
 
   postInstall = ''
     # Build and install shared library