diff --git a/pkgs/games/pioneer/default.nix b/pkgs/games/pioneer/default.nix
index 51eda72bdefc..cd827131a706 100644
--- a/pkgs/games/pioneer/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/games/pioneer/default.nix
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     export PIONEER_DATA_DIR="$out/share/pioneer/data";
   '';
 
+  makeFlags = [ "build-data" ];
+
   meta = with lib; {
     description = "A space adventure game set in the Milky Way galaxy at the turn of the 31st century";
     homepage = "https://pioneerspacesim.net";