diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/cairo/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/cairo/default.nix
index b24cc668bf13..d21f303e7412 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/cairo/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/cairo/default.nix
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 , gobjectSupport ? true, glib
 , stdenv, fetchurl, pkgconfig, x11, fontconfig, freetype, xlibs
 , zlib, libpng, pixman, libxcb ? null, xcbutil ? null
-, gettext
+, gettext, libiconvOrEmpty
 }:
 
 assert postscriptSupport -> zlib != null;
@@ -25,7 +25,9 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     ++ stdenv.lib.optionals xcbSupport [ libxcb xcbutil ]
 
     # On non-GNU systems we need GNU Gettext for libintl.
-    ++ stdenv.lib.optional (!stdenv.isLinux) gettext;
+    ++ stdenv.lib.optional (!stdenv.isLinux) gettext
+
+    ++ libiconvOrEmpty;
 
   propagatedBuildInputs =
     [ freetype pixman ] ++