diff --git a/pkgs/applications/science/math/maxima/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/science/math/maxima/default.nix
index 48386c719bd..f99c1e46162 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/science/math/maxima/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/science/math/maxima/default.nix
@@ -12,6 +12,10 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation {
     sha256 = "0sdrv3lra6j3ylaqsblnd3x7rq4ybafyj7rb114ycadpx2qf06lq";
   };
 
+  preConfigure = ''
+    configureFlags="--infodir=$out/share/info --mandir=$out/share/man"
+  '';
+
   buildInputs = [clisp];
 
   meta = {