diff --git a/pkgs/tools/text/source-highlight/default.nix b/pkgs/tools/text/source-highlight/default.nix
index 40cb0398824..3d3a0f8c50a 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/text/source-highlight/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/text/source-highlight/default.nix
@@ -12,6 +12,14 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation {
     sha256 = "148w47k3zswbxvhg83z38ifi85f9dqcpg7icvvw1cm6bg21x4zrs";
   };
 
+  # source-highlight uses it's own binary to generate documentation.
+  # During cross-compilation, that binary was built for the target
+  # platform architecture, so it can't run on the build host.
+  patchPhase = stdenv.lib.optionalString (stdenv.hostPlatform != stdenv.buildPlatform) ''
+    substituteInPlace Makefile.in --replace "src doc tests" "src tests"
+  '';
+
+  strictDeps = true;
   buildInputs = [ boost ];
 
   configureFlags = [ "--with-boost=${boost.out}" ];