diff --git a/nixos/modules/programs/zsh/zsh.nix b/nixos/modules/programs/zsh/zsh.nix
index 91cd84416921..d81f63c2acca 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/programs/zsh/zsh.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/programs/zsh/zsh.nix
@@ -102,9 +102,9 @@ in
 
       interactiveShellInit = ''
         # history defaults
-        export SAVEHIST=2000
-        export HISTSIZE=2000
-        export HISTFILE=$HOME/.zsh_history
+        SAVEHIST=2000
+        HISTSIZE=2000
+        HISTFILE=$HOME/.zsh_history
 
         setopt HIST_IGNORE_DUPS SHARE_HISTORY HIST_FCNTL_LOCK