diff --git a/pkgs/development/tools/nrpl/default.nix b/pkgs/development/tools/nrpl/default.nix
index d6a35723590..234f5a5bfae 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/tools/nrpl/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/tools/nrpl/default.nix
@@ -25,7 +25,10 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     "-lpcre"
   ];
 
-  buildPhase = "nim c -d:release nrpl.nim";
+  buildPhase = ''
+    HOME=$TMPDIR
+    nim c -d:release nrpl.nim
+  '';
 
   installPhase = "install -Dt $out/bin nrpl";