diff --git a/pkgs/tools/misc/dvtm/dvtm.nix b/pkgs/tools/misc/dvtm/dvtm.nix
index df2e25c7ea3..a472d92ff17 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/misc/dvtm/dvtm.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/misc/dvtm/dvtm.nix
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation {
     cp ${builtins.toFile "config.h" customConfig} ./config.h
   '';
 
+  nativeBuildInputs = [ ncurses ];
   buildInputs = [ ncurses ];
 
   prePatch = ''
@@ -16,9 +17,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation {
       --replace /usr/share/terminfo $out/share/terminfo
   '';
 
-  installPhase = ''
-    make PREFIX=$out install
-  '';
+  makeFlags = [ "PREFIX=$(out)" ];
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
     description = "Dynamic virtual terminal manager";