diff --git a/pkgs/os-specific/linux/iproute/default.nix b/pkgs/os-specific/linux/iproute/default.nix
index 15e25861f275..be928fa16e1d 100644
--- a/pkgs/os-specific/linux/iproute/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/os-specific/linux/iproute/default.nix
@@ -19,11 +19,18 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     "DESTDIR="
     "LIBDIR=$(out)/lib"
     "SBINDIR=$(out)/sbin"
-    "CONFDIR=$(out)/etc"
     "DOCDIR=$(out)/share/doc/${name}"
     "MANDIR=$(out)/share/man"
   ];
 
+  buildFlags = [
+    "CONFDIR=/etc"
+  ];
+
+  installFlags = [
+    "CONFDIR=$(out)/etc"
+  ];
+
   buildInputs = [ db iptables ];
   nativeBuildInputs = [ bison flex pkgconfig ];