diff --git a/pkgs/servers/http/apache-httpd/default.nix b/pkgs/servers/http/apache-httpd/default.nix
index 6048a2fa81b..962cefd0974 100644
--- a/pkgs/servers/http/apache-httpd/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/servers/http/apache-httpd/default.nix
@@ -19,6 +19,11 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   buildInputs = [perl apr aprutil pcre] ++
     stdenv.lib.optional sslSupport openssl;
 
+  # An apr-util header file includes an apr header file
+  # through #include "" (quotes)
+  # passing simply CFLAGS did not help, then I go by NIX_CFLAGS_COMPILE
+  NIX_CFLAGS_COMPILE = "-iquote ${apr}/include/apr-1";
+
   configureFlags = ''
     --with-z=${zlib}
     --with-pcre=${pcre}