diff --git a/pkgs/development/ruby-modules/gem-config/default.nix b/pkgs/development/ruby-modules/gem-config/default.nix
index 029329723fc0..ff9e3b1968cf 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/ruby-modules/gem-config/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/ruby-modules/gem-config/default.nix
@@ -630,6 +630,9 @@ in
 
   re2 = attrs: {
     buildInputs = [ re2 ];
+    buildFlags = [
+      "--enable-system-libraries"
+    ];
   };
 
   rest-client = attrs: {