diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/lirc/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/lirc/default.nix
index d84e0219294..86f592dd3a0 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/lirc/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/lirc/default.nix
@@ -18,12 +18,15 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
 
   configureFlags = [
     "--with-driver=devinput"
-    "--sysconfdir=$(out)/etc"
+    "--sysconfdir=/etc"
+    "--localstatedir=/var"
     "--enable-sandboxed"
   ];
 
   makeFlags = [ "m4dir=$(out)/m4" ];
 
+  installFlags = [ "sysconfdir=\${out}/etc" ];
+
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
     description = "Allows to receive and send infrared signals";
     homepage = http://www.lirc.org/;