diff --git a/pkgs/applications/misc/calibre/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/misc/calibre/default.nix
index 9701db3c0b7..27819053a3b 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/misc/calibre/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/misc/calibre/default.nix
@@ -113,6 +113,7 @@ mkDerivation rec {
   disallowedReferences = [ podofo.dev ];
 
   calibreDesktopItem = makeDesktopItem {
+    fileValidation = false; # fails before substitution
     name = "calibre-gui";
     desktopName = "calibre";
     exec = "@out@/bin/calibre --detach %F";
@@ -159,6 +160,7 @@ mkDerivation rec {
   };
 
   ebookEditDesktopItem = makeDesktopItem {
+    fileValidation = false; # fails before substitution
     name = "calibre-edit-book";
     desktopName = "Edit E-book";
     genericName = "E-book Editor";
@@ -171,6 +173,7 @@ mkDerivation rec {
   };
 
   ebookViewerDesktopItem = makeDesktopItem {
+    fileValidation = false; # fails before substitution
     name = "calibre-ebook-viewer";
     desktopName = "E-book Viewer";
     genericName = "E-book Viewer";