diff --git a/pkgs/tools/text/par/default.nix b/pkgs/tools/text/par/default.nix
index 54b5e6566e8..d988b2bbbf5 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/text/par/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/text/par/default.nix
@@ -18,7 +18,12 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation {
     })
   ];
 
-  buildPhase = ''make -f protoMakefile'';
+  makefile = "protoMakefile";
+  preBuild = ''
+    makeFlagsArray=+( CC="${stdenv.cc.targetPrefix}cc -c" \
+                      LINK1=${stdenv.cc.targetPrefix}cc   \
+                    )
+  '';
 
   installPhase = ''
     mkdir -p $out/bin