diff --git a/pkgs/applications/editors/emacs-23/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/editors/emacs-23/default.nix
index a68cd5935c5a..a0ff68a76bf4 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/editors/emacs-23/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/editors/emacs-23/default.nix
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ assert dbusSupport -> dbus != null;
 assert xaw3dSupport -> Xaw3d != null;
 assert gtkGUI -> pkgconfig != null && gtk != null;
 assert xftSupport -> libXft != null && libpng != null; # libpng = probably a bug
-assert stdenv.system == "i686-darwin" -> xawSupport; # fails to link otherwise
+assert stdenv.isDarwin -> xawSupport; # fails to link otherwise
 
 stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   name = "emacs-23.2";