diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/db/generic.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/db/generic.nix
index 013a7fd35b9..077bd4e03a3 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/db/generic.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/db/generic.nix
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   configureFlags = [
     (if cxxSupport then "--enable-cxx" else "--disable-cxx")
     (if compat185 then "--enable-compat185" else "--disable-compat185")
+    "--enable-dbm"
   ];
 
   preConfigure = ''