diff --git a/pkgs/tools/system/smartmontools/default.nix b/pkgs/tools/system/smartmontools/default.nix
index 02c4340aded2..55ec05d2a9a7 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/system/smartmontools/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/system/smartmontools/default.nix
@@ -38,7 +38,11 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     cp -v ${driverdb} drivedb.h
   '';
 
-  configureFlags = [ "--with-scriptpath=${scriptPath}" ];
+  configureFlags = [
+    "--with-scriptpath=${scriptPath}"
+    # does not work on NixOS
+    "--without-update-smart-drivedb"
+  ];
 
   nativeBuildInputs = [ autoreconfHook ];
   buildInputs = lib.optionals stdenv.isDarwin [ IOKit ApplicationServices ];