diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/pcre/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/pcre/default.nix
index fba3844bf8e..c831f004c12 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/pcre/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/pcre/default.nix
@@ -8,7 +8,12 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation {
     sha256 = "1zsqk352mx2zklf9bgpg9d88ckfdssbbbiyslhrycfckw8m3qpvr";
   };
 
+  # The compiler on Darwin crashes with an internal error while building the
+  # C++ interface. Disabling optimizations on that platform remedies the
+  # problem. In case we ever update the Darwin GCC version, the exception for
+  # that platform ought to be removed.
   configureFlags = ''
+    CPPFLAGS=-NDEBUG CFLAGS=-O3 CXXFLAGS=${if stdenv.isDarwin then "-O0" else "-O3"}
     ${if unicodeSupport then "--enable-unicode-properties" else ""}
     ${if !cplusplusSupport then "--disable-cpp" else ""}
   '';