diff --git a/pkgs/tools/misc/sl/default.nix b/pkgs/tools/misc/sl/default.nix
index 641a0c3e365..b45304a43c4 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/misc/sl/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/misc/sl/default.nix
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
 
   buildInputs = [ ncurses ];
 
+  makeFlags = [ "CC:=$(CC)" ];
+
   installPhase = ''
     runHook preInstall