diff --git a/pkgs/stdenv/generic/make-derivation.nix b/pkgs/stdenv/generic/make-derivation.nix
index 7a083660e449..beba687e788a 100644
--- a/pkgs/stdenv/generic/make-derivation.nix
+++ b/pkgs/stdenv/generic/make-derivation.nix
@@ -377,6 +377,8 @@ else let
           "-DCMAKE_HOST_SYSTEM_PROCESSOR=${stdenv.buildPlatform.uname.processor}"
         ] ++ lib.optionals (stdenv.buildPlatform.uname.release != null) [
           "-DCMAKE_HOST_SYSTEM_VERSION=${stdenv.buildPlatform.uname.release}"
+        ] ++ lib.optionals (stdenv.buildPlatform.canExecute stdenv.hostPlatform) [
+          "-DCMAKE_CROSSCOMPILING_EMULATOR=env"
         ]);
 
       mesonFlags =