diff --git a/pkgs/os-specific/linux/fbterm/stdenv.nix b/pkgs/os-specific/linux/fbterm/stdenv.nix
index e57e528d2e3..893dba11b60 100644
--- a/pkgs/os-specific/linux/fbterm/stdenv.nix
+++ b/pkgs/os-specific/linux/fbterm/stdenv.nix
@@ -27,6 +27,9 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation {
     ' -i src/Makefile.in
 
     export HOME=$PWD;
+
     export NIX_LDFLAGS="$NIX_LDFLAGS -lfreetype"
+    # This is only relevant cross-building
+    export NIX_CROSS_LDFLAGS="$NIX_CROSS_LDFLAGS -lfreetype"
   '';
 }