diff --git a/pkgs/stdenv/generic/default.nix b/pkgs/stdenv/generic/default.nix
index 52498e77ee7..548b6c8c63c 100644
--- a/pkgs/stdenv/generic/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/stdenv/generic/default.nix
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ let {
 
         # Utility value: is this a Darwin system?
         isDarwin = result.system == "i686-darwin" || result.system == "powerpc-darwin";
+        isLinux = result.system == "i686-linux" || result.system == "powerpc-linux";
 
         # Utility function: allow stdenv to be easily regenerated with
         # a different setup script.  (See all-packages.nix for an