diff --git a/pkgs/applications/science/math/R/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/science/math/R/default.nix
index 772d9cdd6ce..edba65146a6 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/science/math/R/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/science/math/R/default.nix
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
       --with-system-pcre
       --with-system-xz
       --with-ICU
+      --enable-R-shlib
       AR=$(type -p ar)
       AWK=$(type -p gawk)
       CC=$(type -p gcc)