diff --git a/pkgs/applications/networking/browsers/firefox/3.6.nix b/pkgs/applications/networking/browsers/firefox/3.6.nix
index 439d263d4de..f98e9465f82 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/networking/browsers/firefox/3.6.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/networking/browsers/firefox/3.6.nix
@@ -40,7 +40,6 @@ rec {
       "--disable-necko-wifi" # maybe we want to enable this at some point
     ];
 
-
   xulrunner = stdenv.mkDerivation {
     name = "xulrunner-${xulVersion}";
     
@@ -58,6 +57,10 @@ rec {
         alsaLib nspr /* nss */ libnotify xlibs.pixman
       ];
 
+    preConfigure = if stdenv.isMips then ''
+      export ac_cv_thread_keyword=no
+    '' else "";
+
     configureFlags =
       [ "--enable-application=xulrunner"
         "--disable-javaxpcom"