diff --git a/pkgs/development/haskell-modules/configuration-common.nix b/pkgs/development/haskell-modules/configuration-common.nix
index b1c004f2483..d2aeda8d49c 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/haskell-modules/configuration-common.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/haskell-modules/configuration-common.nix
@@ -1011,4 +1011,13 @@ self: super: {
   # Tools that use gtk2hs-buildtools now depend on them in a custom-setup stanza
   cairo = addBuildTool super.cairo self.gtk2hs-buildtools;
   pango = addBuildTool super.pango self.gtk2hs-buildtools;
+
+  # esqueleto requires an older version of the persistent library, and
+  # corresponding versions of -template and -sqlite for for its test
+  # suite.
+  esqueleto = super.esqueleto.overrideScope (self: super: {
+    persistent-template = super.persistent-template_2_1_8_1;
+    persistent-sqlite = super.persistent-sqlite_2_2_1;
+    persistent = super.persistent_2_2_4_1;
+  });
 }