diff --git a/pkgs/build-support/gcc-wrapper/builder.sh b/pkgs/build-support/gcc-wrapper/builder.sh
index 20e15405526..e0f880d8df6 100644
--- a/pkgs/build-support/gcc-wrapper/builder.sh
+++ b/pkgs/build-support/gcc-wrapper/builder.sh
@@ -89,6 +89,12 @@ mkGccWrapper $out/bin/g77 $gccPath/g77
 ln -s g77 $out/bin/f77
 
 
+# Create a symlink to as (the assembler).  This is useful when a
+# gcc-wrapper is installed in a user environment, as it ensures that
+# the right assembler is called.
+ln -s $nativePrefix/bin/as $out/bin/as
+
+
 # Make a wrapper around the linker.
 doSubstitute "$ldWrapper" "$out/bin/ld"
 chmod +x "$out/bin/ld"