diff --git a/pkgs/build-support/vm/default.nix b/pkgs/build-support/vm/default.nix
index ce35832d78c..0296c434d6f 100644
--- a/pkgs/build-support/vm/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/build-support/vm/default.nix
@@ -514,7 +514,8 @@ rec {
 
       echo "%_topdir $rpmout" >> $HOME/.rpmmacros
 
-      rpmbuild -vv -ta "$srcName"
+      if [ `uname -m` = i686 ]; then extra="--target i686-linux"; fi
+      rpmbuild -vv $extra -ta "$srcName"
 
       eval "$postBuild"
     '';