diff --git a/pkgs/os-specific/linux/kernel/builder.sh b/pkgs/os-specific/linux/kernel/builder.sh
index bea53e9c4dd..621237fa9a3 100644
--- a/pkgs/os-specific/linux/kernel/builder.sh
+++ b/pkgs/os-specific/linux/kernel/builder.sh
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 source $stdenv/setup
 
 
-makeFlags="ARCH=$arch SHELL=/bin/sh $makeFlags"
+makeFlags="ARCH=$arch SHELL=/bin/sh KBUILD_BUILD_VERSION=1-NixOS $makeFlags"
 if [ -n "$crossConfig" ]; then
   makeFlags="$makeFlags CROSS_COMPILE=$crossConfig-"
 fi