diff --git a/pkgs/build-support/release/debian-build.nix b/pkgs/build-support/release/debian-build.nix
index 94a1508441d3..62708b342d0e 100644
--- a/pkgs/build-support/release/debian-build.nix
+++ b/pkgs/build-support/release/debian-build.nix
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ vmTools.runInLinuxImage (stdenv.mkDerivation (
       stopNest
     '';
 
-    installCommand = ''
+    installPhase = ''
       export LOGNAME=root
 
       ${checkinstall}/sbin/checkinstall --nodoc -y -D make install