diff --git a/pkgs/tools/graphics/netpbm/default.nix b/pkgs/tools/graphics/netpbm/default.nix
index c2e85564e66..8bc29d0014d 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/graphics/netpbm/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/graphics/netpbm/default.nix
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation {
 
   configurePhase = "cp config.mk.in config.mk";
 
+  makeFlags = "LDFLAGS=-lz";
+
   installPhase = ''
     make package pkgdir=$PWD/netpbmpkg
     # Pass answers to the script questions