diff --git a/pkgs/development/interpreters/python/default.nix b/pkgs/development/interpreters/python/default.nix
index 4ad973d82a1..726d2ac4aa9 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/interpreters/python/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/interpreters/python/default.nix
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ with stdenv.lib;
 let
 
   buildInputs =
-    optional (stdenv ? gcc && stdenv.gcc ? libc) stdenv.gcc.libc ++
+    optional (stdenv ? gcc && stdenv.gcc.libc != null) stdenv.gcc.libc ++
     [bzip2] ++ 
     optional zlibSupport zlib;