diff --git a/pkgs/stdenv/initial/builder.sh b/pkgs/stdenv/initial/builder.sh
index 6673f7fea15..8d287286a9c 100644
--- a/pkgs/stdenv/initial/builder.sh
+++ b/pkgs/stdenv/initial/builder.sh
@@ -1,8 +1,5 @@
 export PATH=/usr/bin:/bin
 
 mkdir $out
-cat > $out/setup <<EOF
-export PATH=/usr/bin:/bin
-export SHELL=/bin/sh
-EOF
-chmod +x $out/setup
+
+sed -e "s^@initialPath@^/usr /^" -e "s^@preHook@^^" -e "s^@postHook@^^" -e "s^@shell@^/bin/sh^" < $stdenvScript > $out/setup
diff --git a/pkgs/stdenv/initial/default.nix b/pkgs/stdenv/initial/default.nix
index c43a268fa08..1532406ba8b 100644
--- a/pkgs/stdenv/initial/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/stdenv/initial/default.nix
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ let {
       inherit system name;
       builder = shell;
       args = ["-e" ./builder.sh];
+      stdenvScript = ../generic/setup.sh;
     }
 
     // {