diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/notebook/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/notebook/default.nix
index 12e2d15dcc6..37c5774bba2 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/notebook/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/notebook/default.nix
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
 
   # disable warning_filters
   preCheck = lib.optionalString (!isPy3k) ''
-    touch setup.cfg
+    echo "" > setup.cfg
   '';
 
   checkPhase = ''