diff --git a/pkgs/tools/compression/zsync/default.nix b/pkgs/tools/compression/zsync/default.nix
index 89016b3ff40f..830e5f10ef6d 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/compression/zsync/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/compression/zsync/default.nix
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     sha256 = "1wjslvfy76szf0mgg2i9y9q30858xyjn6v2acc24zal76d1m778b";
   };
 
+  makeFlags = [ "AR=${stdenv.cc.bintools.targetPrefix}ar" ];
+
   meta = {
     homepage = http://zsync.moria.org.uk/;
     description = "File distribution system using the rsync algorithm";