diff --git a/pkgs/build-support/build-fhs-userenv/env.nix b/pkgs/build-support/build-fhs-userenv/env.nix
index 89b567a249f6..226904f311b6 100644
--- a/pkgs/build-support/build-fhs-userenv/env.nix
+++ b/pkgs/build-support/build-fhs-userenv/env.nix
@@ -81,6 +81,9 @@ let
       # compatibility with NixOS
       ln -s /host/etc/static static
 
+      # symlink nix config
+      ln -s /host/etc/nix nix
+
       # symlink some NSS stuff
       ln -s /host/etc/passwd passwd
       ln -s /host/etc/group group