diff --git a/pkgs/development/r-modules/default.nix b/pkgs/development/r-modules/default.nix
index a9d81f028f4a..71c105837953 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/r-modules/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/r-modules/default.nix
@@ -1562,7 +1562,7 @@ let
     });
 
     curl = old.curl.overrideDerivation (attrs: {
-      preConfigure = "export CURL_INCLUDES=${pkgs.curl}/include";
+      preConfigure = "patchShebangs configure";
     });
 
     iFes = old.iFes.overrideDerivation (attrs: {