diff --git a/pkgs/build-support/cc-wrapper/default.nix b/pkgs/build-support/cc-wrapper/default.nix
index 489fb02dcb5..a12c835dd9b 100644
--- a/pkgs/build-support/cc-wrapper/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/build-support/cc-wrapper/default.nix
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation {
         *) echo "Multiple dynamic linkers found for platform '${targetPlatform.config}'." >&2;;
       esac
 
-      if [ -n "$dynamicLinker" ]; then
+      if [ -n "''${dynamicLinker:-}" ]; then
         echo $dynamicLinker > $out/nix-support/dynamic-linker
 
     '' + (if targetPlatform.isDarwin then ''