diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/libelf/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/libelf/default.nix
index 623256bb6b7b..12588617d4a1 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/libelf/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/libelf/default.nix
@@ -9,10 +9,10 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   };
 
   doCheck = true;
-  
+
   # For cross-compiling, native glibc is needed for the "gencat" program.
   crossAttrs = {
-    nativeBuildInputs = [ glibc ];
+    nativeBuildInputs = [ gettext glibc ];
   };
 
   # Libelf's custom NLS macros fail to determine the catalog file extension on
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   # FIXME: Eventually make Gettext a build input on all platforms.
   configureFlags = stdenv.lib.optional stdenv.isDarwin "--disable-nls";
 
-  buildInputs = [ gettext ];
+  nativeBuildInputs = [ gettext ];
 
   meta = {
     description = "ELF object file access library";