diff --git a/pkgs/top-level/all-packages.nix b/pkgs/top-level/all-packages.nix
index 392ad1b290b8..da5ff3e095f3 100644
--- a/pkgs/top-level/all-packages.nix
+++ b/pkgs/top-level/all-packages.nix
@@ -5590,7 +5590,14 @@ let
       else stdenv;
   };
 
-  readline63 = callPackage ../development/libraries/readline/readline6.3.nix { };
+  readline63 = callPackage ../development/libraries/readline/readline6.3.nix {
+    stdenv =
+      # On Darwin, Readline uses `-arch_only', which is specific to
+      # Apple-GCC.  So give it what it expects.
+      if stdenv.isDarwin
+      then overrideGCC stdenv gccApple
+      else stdenv;
+  };
 
   librdf_raptor = callPackage ../development/libraries/librdf/raptor.nix { };