diff --git a/pkgs/stdenv/generic/setup.sh b/pkgs/stdenv/generic/setup.sh
index fe801c6bb971..864a519157c3 100644
--- a/pkgs/stdenv/generic/setup.sh
+++ b/pkgs/stdenv/generic/setup.sh
@@ -181,6 +181,7 @@ if [ -z "$SHELL" ]; then echo "SHELL not set"; exit 1; fi
 # Execute the pre-hook.
 export CONFIG_SHELL="$SHELL"
 if [ -z "$shell" ]; then export shell=$SHELL; fi
+runHook preHook
 
 
 # Allow the caller to augment buildInputs (it's not always possible to