diff --git a/pkgs/top-level/all-packages.nix b/pkgs/top-level/all-packages.nix
index fa20bbaf47d..e3ad45d15f8 100644
--- a/pkgs/top-level/all-packages.nix
+++ b/pkgs/top-level/all-packages.nix
@@ -9990,7 +9990,10 @@ with pkgs;
   };
 
   # On non-GNU systems we need GNU Gettext for libintl.
-  libintlOrEmpty = stdenv.lib.optional (!stdenv.isLinux || hostPlatform.libc != "glibc") gettext;
+  libintl = if hostPlatform.libc != "glibc" then gettext else null;
+
+  # deprecated: provided for compatability
+  libintlOrEmpty = [ libintl ];
 
   libid3tag = callPackage ../development/libraries/libid3tag {
     gperf = gperf_3_0;