diff --git a/gnu/packages/javascript.scm b/gnu/packages/javascript.scm
index 1d571a1c72..666a0aa421 100644
--- a/gnu/packages/javascript.scm
+++ b/gnu/packages/javascript.scm
@@ -835,7 +835,11 @@ (define-public duktape
                                   ;; XXX Replace with #$output on core-updates.
                                   #$(if (%current-target-system)
                                         #~#$output
-                                        #~%output)))
+                                        #~%output))
+                   ;; XXX Unconditionally set to CC-FOR-TARGET on core-updates.
+                   #$@(if (%current-target-system)
+                          #~((string-append "CC=" #$(cc-for-target)))
+                          #~()))
            #:phases
            #~(modify-phases %standard-phases
                (delete 'configure)