diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/a52dec/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/a52dec/default.nix
index faa819ec5615..cce911f0d804 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/a52dec/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/a52dec/default.nix
@@ -13,6 +13,10 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     "--enable-shared"
   ];
 
+  makeFlags = [
+    "AR=${stdenv.cc.targetPrefix}ar"
+  ];
+
   # fails 1 out of 1 tests with "BAD GLOBAL SYMBOLS" on i686
   # which can also be fixed with
   # hardeningDisable = lib.optional stdenv.isi686 "pic";