diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/science/math/openblas/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/science/math/openblas/default.nix
index f4a97b7cf854..2ae3bd2b9c83 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/science/math/openblas/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/science/math/openblas/default.nix
@@ -126,7 +126,8 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     NO_STATIC = true;
     CROSS = stdenv.hostPlatform != stdenv.buildPlatform;
     HOSTCC = "cc";
-    NO_BINARY_MODE = stdenv.hostPlatform != stdenv.buildPlatform;
+    # Makefile.system only checks defined status
+    NO_BINARY_MODE = toString (stdenv.hostPlatform != stdenv.buildPlatform);
   });
 
   doCheck = true;