diff --git a/pkgs/development/ruby-modules/gem-config/default.nix b/pkgs/development/ruby-modules/gem-config/default.nix
index 4e910ae9a244..aa1d0a9755de 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/ruby-modules/gem-config/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/ruby-modules/gem-config/default.nix
@@ -198,6 +198,7 @@ in
 
   gpgme = attrs: {
     buildInputs = [ gpgme ];
+    buildFlags = [ "--use-system-libraries" ];
   };
 
   gio2 = attrs: {