diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/ncurses/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/ncurses/default.nix
index e6db7af6ee2..827a556a468 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/ncurses/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/ncurses/default.nix
@@ -46,9 +46,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   buildInputs = lib.optional (mouseSupport && stdenv.isLinux) gpm;
 
   preConfigure = ''
-    # These paths end up in the default lookup chain.
-    export TERMINFO_DIRS=/etc/terminfo
-
     export PKG_CONFIG_LIBDIR="$dev/lib/pkgconfig"
     mkdir -p "$PKG_CONFIG_LIBDIR"
     configureFlagsArray+=(