diff --git a/pkgs/development/tools/misc/binutils/default.nix b/pkgs/development/tools/misc/binutils/default.nix
index 23ea7aed251..82eb7f77bb4 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/tools/misc/binutils/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/tools/misc/binutils/default.nix
@@ -50,7 +50,8 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     ++ [ "info" ]
     ++ optional (targetPlatform == hostPlatform) "dev";
 
-  nativeBuildInputs = [ bison ];
+  nativeBuildInputs = [ bison ]
+    ++ optional (hostPlatform != buildPlatform) buildPackages.stdenv.cc;
   buildInputs = [ zlib ];
 
   inherit noSysDirs;