diff --git a/pkgs/os-specific/linux/libaio/default.nix b/pkgs/os-specific/linux/libaio/default.nix
index 090bf6a566a3..792568e8b57b 100644
--- a/pkgs/os-specific/linux/libaio/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/os-specific/linux/libaio/default.nix
@@ -22,7 +22,9 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
       --replace "-Werror" ""
   '';
 
-  makeFlags = "prefix=$(out)";
+  makeFlags = [
+    "prefix=${placeholder ''out''}"
+  ];
 
   hardeningDisable = stdenv.lib.optional (stdenv.isi686) "stackprotector";