diff --git a/overlays/preferences.nix b/overlays/preferences.nix
index d3d343086..e58392e3d 100644
--- a/overlays/preferences.nix
+++ b/overlays/preferences.nix
@@ -16,6 +16,11 @@
   #   };
   # };
 
+  # XXX(2024-12-26): prefer pre-built electron because otherwise it takes 4 hrs to build from source.
+  # but wait 2 days after staging -> master merge, and normal electron should be cached and safe to remove
+  # electron = electron-bin;
+  electron_33 = electron_33-bin;
+
   # evolution-data-server = super.evolution-data-server.override {
   #   # OAuth depends on webkitgtk_4_1: old, forces an annoying recompilation
   #   enableOAuth2 = false;