diff --git a/pkgs/tools/security/john/default.nix b/pkgs/tools/security/john/default.nix
index 97f67dfbd71..fb1131b5f98 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/security/john/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/security/john/default.nix
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   name = "JohnTheRipper-${version}";
   version = "8a3e3c1d";
   buildInputs = [ openssl nss nspr krb5 gmp zlib libpcap re2 ];
+  NIX_CFLAGS_COMPILE = "-DJOHN_SYSTEMWIDE=1";
   preConfigure = ''cd src'';
   installPhase = ''
     ensureDir $out/share/john/