diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/polkit/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/polkit/default.nix
index 05813bf29dc..d0df41c3e5f 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/polkit/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/polkit/default.nix
@@ -55,7 +55,8 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     ++ [ libxslt docbook_xsl docbook_xml_dtd_412 ]; # man pages
   buildInputs =
     [ expat pam spidermonkey_60 ]
-    ++ (if useSystemd then [systemd] else [elogind])
+    # On Linux, fall back to elogind when systemd support is off.
+    ++ stdenv.lib.optional stdenv.isLinux (if useSystemd then systemd else elogind)
     ++ stdenv.lib.optional withGnome gobject-introspection;
 
   propagatedBuildInputs = [