diff --git a/pkgs/applications/version-management/git-and-tools/git-annex/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/version-management/git-and-tools/git-annex/default.nix
index 7224d8c6900d..f00ca9da046d 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/version-management/git-and-tools/git-annex/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/version-management/git-and-tools/git-annex/default.nix
@@ -35,10 +35,7 @@ cabal.mkDerivation (self: {
   ];
   buildTools = [ bup curl git gnupg1 lsof openssh perl rsync which ];
   configureFlags = "-fAssistant -fProduction";
-  preConfigure = ''
-    export HOME="$NIX_BUILD_TOP/tmp"
-    mkdir "$HOME"
-  '';
+  preConfigure = "export HOME=$TEMPDIR";
   installPhase = "./Setup install";
   checkPhase = ''
     cp dist/build/git-annex/git-annex git-annex