diff --git a/pkgs/tools/package-management/nix/default.nix b/pkgs/tools/package-management/nix/default.nix
index 45dfd52dba1..a90f38ccc09 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/package-management/nix/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/package-management/nix/default.nix
@@ -79,6 +79,9 @@ let
 
     doInstallCheck = true;
 
+    # socket path becomes too long otherwise
+    preInstallCheck = lib.optional stdenv.isDarwin "export TMPDIR=/tmp";
+
     separateDebugInfo = stdenv.isLinux;
 
     crossAttrs = {