diff --git a/pkgs/development/interpreters/octave/default.nix b/pkgs/development/interpreters/octave/default.nix
index 19b22314279..ca9a00eab1c 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/interpreters/octave/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/interpreters/octave/default.nix
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   # Keep a copy of the octave tests detailed results in the output
   # derivation, because someone may care
   postInstall = ''
-    cp test/fntests.log $out/share/octave/${name}-fntests.log
+    cp test/fntests.log $out/share/octave/${name}-fntests.log || true
   '';
 
   passthru = {