diff --git a/gnu/packages/elf.scm b/gnu/packages/elf.scm
index 8329637da3..350cd2a3c1 100644
--- a/gnu/packages/elf.scm
+++ b/gnu/packages/elf.scm
@@ -128,14 +128,12 @@ (define-public patchelf
          '()))
     (arguments
      (if (target-arm32?)
-         `(#:phases (alist-cons-after
-                     'unpack 'patch/rework-for-arm
-                     (lambda* (#:key inputs #:allow-other-keys)
-                       (let ((patch-file
-                              (assoc-ref inputs "patch/rework-for-arm")))
-                         (zero? (system* "patch" "--force" "-p1"
-                                         "--input" patch-file))))
-                     %standard-phases))
+         `(#:phases
+           (modify-phases %standard-phases
+             (add-after 'unpack 'patch/rework-for-arm
+               (lambda* (#:key inputs #:allow-other-keys)
+                 (let ((patch-file (assoc-ref inputs "patch/rework-for-arm")))
+                   (invoke "patch" "--force" "-p1" "--input" patch-file))))))
          '()))
 
     (home-page "https://nixos.org/patchelf.html")