diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/libffi/3.3.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/libffi/3.3.nix
index b6837c6523f..294717d1fb1 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/libffi/3.3.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/libffi/3.3.nix
@@ -29,6 +29,9 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     "--disable-exec-static-tramp"
   ];
 
+  # with fortify3, tests fail for some reason
+  hardeningDisable = [ "fortify3" ];
+
   preCheck = ''
     # The tests use -O0 which is not compatible with -D_FORTIFY_SOURCE.
     NIX_HARDENING_ENABLE=''${NIX_HARDENING_ENABLE/fortify/}