diff --git a/pkgs/development/compilers/openjdk/default.nix b/pkgs/development/compilers/openjdk/default.nix
index 674ab224e20..4109363f038 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/compilers/openjdk/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/compilers/openjdk/default.nix
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     PRINTF=${coreutils}/bin/printf \
     BOOTDIR=${jdk} \
     FIND=${findutils}/bin/find \
+    ALLOW_DOWNLOADS=true \
     CC=${stdenv.gcc}/bin/gcc
   '';