diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/gtk/2.x.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/gtk/2.x.nix
index 88dfc54094f..1f66917d3b2 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/gtk/2.x.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/gtk/2.x.nix
@@ -68,6 +68,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation (finalAttrs: {
   '' else null;
 
   configureFlags = [
+    "--sysconfdir=/etc"
     "--with-gdktarget=${gdktarget}"
     "--with-xinput=yes"
   ] ++ lib.optionals stdenv.isDarwin [
@@ -79,6 +80,10 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation (finalAttrs: {
     "ac_cv_path_GDK_PIXBUF_CSOURCE=${buildPackages.gdk-pixbuf.dev}/bin/gdk-pixbuf-csource"
   ];
 
+  installFlags = [
+    "sysconfdir=${placeholder "out"}/etc"
+  ];
+
   doCheck = false; # needs X11
 
   postInstall = ''