diff --git a/pkgs/applications/display-managers/lightdm/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/display-managers/lightdm/default.nix
index 61d65cb64b6b..0bd1f5e90f11 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/display-managers/lightdm/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/display-managers/lightdm/default.nix
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     ++ optional withQt5 "--enable-liblightdm-qt5";
 
   installFlags = [
-    "sysconfdir=${placeholder ''out''}/etc"
+    "sysconfdir=${placeholder "out"}/etc"
     "localstatedir=\${TMPDIR}"
   ];
 
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/misc/gpscorrelate/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/misc/gpscorrelate/default.nix
index 5bcaccb43bcf..d10507b10449 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/misc/gpscorrelate/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/misc/gpscorrelate/default.nix
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   ];
 
   makeFlags = [
-    "prefix=${placeholder ''out''}"
+    "prefix=${placeholder "out"}"
     "GTK=3"
     "CC=cc"
     "CXX=c++"
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/misc/kjv/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/misc/kjv/default.nix
index 79f0b8dc6df2..7868e74d010c 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/misc/kjv/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/misc/kjv/default.nix
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   patches = [ add-apocrypha add-install-target ];
 
   makeFlags = [
-    "PREFIX=${placeholder ''out''}"
+    "PREFIX=${placeholder "out"}"
   ];
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/misc/plank/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/misc/plank/default.nix
index 10c8a03fa0a2..dfc92e38f63c 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/misc/plank/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/misc/plank/default.nix
@@ -64,8 +64,8 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
 
   # fix paths
   makeFlags = [
-    "INTROSPECTION_GIRDIR=${placeholder ''out''}/share/gir-1.0/"
-    "INTROSPECTION_TYPELIBDIR=${placeholder ''out''}/lib/girepository-1.0"
+    "INTROSPECTION_GIRDIR=${placeholder "out"}/share/gir-1.0/"
+    "INTROSPECTION_TYPELIBDIR=${placeholder "out"}/lib/girepository-1.0"
   ];
 
   # Make plank's application launcher hidden in Pantheon
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/misc/web-media-controller/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/misc/web-media-controller/default.nix
index 6ed2ff10aaa7..e381af4f403e 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/misc/web-media-controller/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/misc/web-media-controller/default.nix
@@ -14,9 +14,9 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   nativeBuildInputs = [ cmake pkgconfig ];
   buildInputs = [ glib pcre json-glib ];
   cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCHROMIUM_MANIFEST_DESTINATION=${placeholder ''out''}/etc/chromium/native-messaging-hosts"
-    "-DCHROME_MANIFEST_DESTINATION=${placeholder ''out''}/etc/opt/chrome/native-messaging-hosts"
-    "-DFIREFOX_MANIFEST_DESTINATION=${placeholder ''out''}/lib/mozilla/native-messaging-hosts"
+    "-DCHROMIUM_MANIFEST_DESTINATION=${placeholder "out"}/etc/chromium/native-messaging-hosts"
+    "-DCHROME_MANIFEST_DESTINATION=${placeholder "out"}/etc/opt/chrome/native-messaging-hosts"
+    "-DFIREFOX_MANIFEST_DESTINATION=${placeholder "out"}/lib/mozilla/native-messaging-hosts"
   ];
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/networking/dropbox/cli.nix b/pkgs/applications/networking/dropbox/cli.nix
index 54ed0f2eea04..9b3b99708dfc 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/networking/dropbox/cli.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/networking/dropbox/cli.nix
@@ -53,11 +53,11 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation {
   ];
 
   configureFlags = [
-    "--with-nautilus-extension-dir=${placeholder ''nautilusExtension''}/lib/nautilus/extensions-3.0"
+    "--with-nautilus-extension-dir=${placeholder "nautilusExtension"}/lib/nautilus/extensions-3.0"
   ];
 
   makeFlags = [
-    "EMBLEM_DIR=${placeholder ''nautilusExtension''}/share/nautilus-dropbox/emblems"
+    "EMBLEM_DIR=${placeholder "nautilusExtension"}/share/nautilus-dropbox/emblems"
   ];
 
   meta = {
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/science/electronics/fped/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/science/electronics/fped/default.nix
index a3b2945ac3d9..0d6f23e1edb1 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/science/electronics/fped/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/science/electronics/fped/default.nix
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
 
   # This uses '/bin/bash', '/usr/local' and 'lex' by default
   makeFlags = [
-    "PREFIX=${placeholder ''out''}"
+    "PREFIX=${placeholder "out"}"
     "LEX=flex"
     "RGBDEF=${netpbm}/share/netpbm/misc/rgb.txt"
   ];
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/version-management/git-and-tools/git-crypt/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/version-management/git-and-tools/git-crypt/default.nix
index abb09ff9a45e..df0b1e78d274 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/version-management/git-and-tools/git-crypt/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/version-management/git-and-tools/git-crypt/default.nix
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   '';
 
   makeFlags = [
-    "PREFIX=${placeholder ''out''}"
+    "PREFIX=${placeholder "out"}"
     "ENABLE_MAN=yes"
     "DOCBOOK_XSL=${docbook_xsl}/share/xml/docbook-xsl-nons/manpages/docbook.xsl"
   ];
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/version-management/git-and-tools/git-subrepo/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/version-management/git-and-tools/git-subrepo/default.nix
index 24a1e1ac937e..b196d39b46f6 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/version-management/git-and-tools/git-subrepo/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/version-management/git-and-tools/git-subrepo/default.nix
@@ -21,9 +21,9 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   ];
 
   makeFlags = [
-    "PREFIX=${placeholder ''out''}"
-    "INSTALL_LIB=${placeholder ''out''}/bin"
-    "INSTALL_MAN=${placeholder ''out''}/share/man/man1"
+    "PREFIX=${placeholder "out"}"
+    "INSTALL_LIB=${placeholder "out"}/bin"
+    "INSTALL_MAN=${placeholder "out"}/share/man/man1"
   ];
 
   patches = [
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/deepin/dbus-factory/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/deepin/dbus-factory/default.nix
index 3a0695f3fb84..2511f05c4ea3 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/deepin/dbus-factory/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/deepin/dbus-factory/default.nix
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     go-dbus-generator
   ];
 
-  makeFlags = [ "GOPATH=${placeholder ''out''}/share/go" ];
+  makeFlags = [ "GOPATH=${placeholder "out"}/share/go" ];
 
   postPatch = ''
     sed -i -e 's:/share/gocode:/share/go:' Makefile
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/deepin/deepin-anything/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/deepin/deepin-anything/default.nix
index 619c66d9f5f8..7c88102c5f3a 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/deepin/deepin-anything/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/deepin/deepin-anything/default.nix
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ mkDerivation rec {
 
   makeFlags = [
     "DEB_HOST_MULTIARCH="
-    "PREFIX=${placeholder ''out''}"
+    "PREFIX=${placeholder "out"}"
   ];
 
   postPatch = ''
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/deepin/deepin-desktop-schemas/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/deepin/deepin-desktop-schemas/default.nix
index b6c20ef71297..4f2427e8237a 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/deepin/deepin-desktop-schemas/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/deepin/deepin-desktop-schemas/default.nix
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     # fix default background url
     sed -i -e 's,/usr/share/backgrounds/default_background.jpg,/usr/share/backgrounds/deepin/desktop.jpg,' \
       overrides/common/com.deepin.wrap.gnome.desktop.override
-      
+
     fixPath ${deepin-wallpapers} /usr/share/backgrounds \
       overrides/common/com.deepin.wrap.gnome.desktop.override
 
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     #   /usr/share/desktop-directories
   '';
 
-  makeFlags = [ "PREFIX=${placeholder ''out''}" ];
+  makeFlags = [ "PREFIX=${placeholder "out"}" ];
 
   doCheck = true;
   checkTarget = "test";
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/deepin/deepin-gettext-tools/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/deepin/deepin-gettext-tools/default.nix
index f4f4ae2971a4..67fcc36bcefc 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/deepin/deepin-gettext-tools/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/deepin/deepin-gettext-tools/default.nix
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     python3Packages.python
   ];
 
-  makeFlags = [ "PREFIX=${placeholder ''out''}" ];
+  makeFlags = [ "PREFIX=${placeholder "out"}" ];
 
   postPatch = ''
     sed -e 's/sudo cp/cp/' -i src/generate_mo.py
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/deepin/deepin-gtk-theme/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/deepin/deepin-gtk-theme/default.nix
index 4c0643a7ce5c..8e2469a2c788 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/deepin/deepin-gtk-theme/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/deepin/deepin-gtk-theme/default.nix
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
 
   propagatedUserEnvPkgs = [ gtk-engine-murrine ];
 
-  makeFlags = [ "PREFIX=${placeholder ''out''}" ];
+  makeFlags = [ "PREFIX=${placeholder "out"}" ];
 
   passthru.updateScript = deepin.updateScript { inherit ;name = "${pname}-${version}"; };
 
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/deepin/deepin-icon-theme/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/deepin/deepin-icon-theme/default.nix
index 8ecb25f5a2e7..e63a228d0cbe 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/deepin/deepin-icon-theme/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/deepin/deepin-icon-theme/default.nix
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
 
   buildTargets = "all hicolor-links";
   installTargets = "install-icons install-cursors";
-  installFlags = [ "PREFIX=${placeholder ''out''}" ];
+  installFlags = [ "PREFIX=${placeholder "out"}" ];
 
   postInstall = ''
     cp -a ./Sea ./usr/share/icons/hicolor "$out"/share/icons/
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/deepin/deepin-sound-theme/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/deepin/deepin-sound-theme/default.nix
index 398be55398bf..e61e91fc87c7 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/deepin/deepin-sound-theme/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/deepin/deepin-sound-theme/default.nix
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     sha256 = "1sw4nrn7q7wk1hpicm05apyc0mihaw42iqm52wb8ib8gm1qiylr9";
   };
 
-  makeFlags = [ "PREFIX=${placeholder ''out''}" ];
+  makeFlags = [ "PREFIX=${placeholder "out"}" ];
 
   passthru.updateScript = deepin.updateScript { inherit ;name = "${pname}-${version}"; };
 
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/deepin/go-dbus-factory/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/deepin/go-dbus-factory/default.nix
index 1d97991dffd0..d302cc3417f2 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/deepin/go-dbus-factory/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/deepin/go-dbus-factory/default.nix
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     sha256 = "06fqyad9f50gcjsjkh7929yyaprahdjhnd0dr4gl2797a7wysl3f";
   };
 
-  makeFlags = [ "PREFIX=${placeholder ''out''}" ];
+  makeFlags = [ "PREFIX=${placeholder "out"}" ];
 
   postPatch = ''
     sed -i -e 's:/share/gocode:/share/go:' Makefile
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/deepin/go-dbus-generator/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/deepin/go-dbus-generator/default.nix
index 2c63fd5ebe62..125629764902 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/deepin/go-dbus-generator/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/deepin/go-dbus-generator/default.nix
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   ];
 
   makeFlags = [
-    "PREFIX=${placeholder ''out''}"
+    "PREFIX=${placeholder "out"}"
     "GOCACHE=$(TMPDIR)/go-cache"
   ];
 
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/deepin/go-gir-generator/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/deepin/go-gir-generator/default.nix
index 68504d756b17..2f431bd941b8 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/deepin/go-gir-generator/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/deepin/go-gir-generator/default.nix
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   '';
 
   makeFlags = [
-    "PREFIX=${placeholder ''out''}"
+    "PREFIX=${placeholder "out"}"
     "GOCACHE=$(TMPDIR)/go-cache"
   ];
 
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/deepin/qt5dxcb-plugin/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/deepin/qt5dxcb-plugin/default.nix
index d76bed1b9b7b..4d0240c426ba 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/deepin/qt5dxcb-plugin/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/deepin/qt5dxcb-plugin/default.nix
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ mkDerivation rec {
   ];
 
   qmakeFlags = [
-    "INSTALL_PATH=${placeholder ''out''}/${qtbase.qtPluginPrefix}/platforms"
+    "INSTALL_PATH=${placeholder "out"}/${qtbase.qtPluginPrefix}/platforms"
   ];
 
   enableParallelBuilding = true;
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/gnome-3/core/gnome-keyring/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/gnome-3/core/gnome-keyring/default.nix
index 4148843d4ab7..7817936bfda6 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/gnome-3/core/gnome-keyring/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/gnome-3/core/gnome-keyring/default.nix
@@ -23,8 +23,8 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   ];
 
   configureFlags = [
-    "--with-pkcs11-config=${placeholder ''out''}/etc/pkcs11/" # installation directories
-    "--with-pkcs11-modules=${placeholder ''out''}/lib/pkcs11/"
+    "--with-pkcs11-config=${placeholder "out"}/etc/pkcs11/" # installation directories
+    "--with-pkcs11-modules=${placeholder "out"}/lib/pkcs11/"
   ];
 
   postPatch = ''
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/gnome-3/core/gnome-user-share/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/gnome-3/core/gnome-user-share/default.nix
index 65f9fb0db806..2a425acb067d 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/gnome-3/core/gnome-user-share/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/gnome-3/core/gnome-user-share/default.nix
@@ -34,8 +34,8 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   configureFlags = [
     "--with-httpd=${apacheHttpd.out}/bin/httpd"
     "--with-modules-path=${apacheHttpd.dev}/modules"
-    "--with-systemduserunitdir=${placeholder ''out''}/etc/systemd/user"
-    "--with-nautilusdir=${placeholder ''out''}/lib/nautilus/extensions-3.0"
+    "--with-systemduserunitdir=${placeholder "out"}/etc/systemd/user"
+    "--with-nautilusdir=${placeholder "out"}/lib/nautilus/extensions-3.0"
   ];
 
   nativeBuildInputs = [
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/gnome-3/extensions/taskwhisperer/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/gnome-3/extensions/taskwhisperer/default.nix
index 745541b7cf43..d5bc0bbc83d2 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/gnome-3/extensions/taskwhisperer/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/gnome-3/extensions/taskwhisperer/default.nix
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   uuid = "taskwhisperer-extension@infinicode.de";
 
   makeFlags = [
-    "INSTALLBASE=${placeholder ''out''}/share/gnome-shell/extensions"
+    "INSTALLBASE=${placeholder "out"}/share/gnome-shell/extensions"
   ];
 
   patches = [
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/gnome-3/misc/gnome-applets/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/gnome-3/misc/gnome-applets/default.nix
index 7bb162b7b8b4..25e1347f1c92 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/gnome-3/misc/gnome-applets/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/gnome-3/misc/gnome-applets/default.nix
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ in stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   doCheck = true;
 
   configureFlags = [
-    "--with-libpanel-applet-dir=${placeholder ''out''}/share/gnome-panel/applets"
+    "--with-libpanel-applet-dir=${placeholder "out"}/share/gnome-panel/applets"
   ];
 
   passthru = {
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/a11y/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/a11y/default.nix
index 3b85b123fd03..7a79f72f1a2e 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/a11y/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/a11y/default.nix
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     switchboard
   ];
 
-  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/lib/switchboard";
+  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/lib/switchboard";
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
     description = "Switchboard Universal Access Plug";
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/about/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/about/default.nix
index bd6df460c04b..3247aed4993e 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/about/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/about/default.nix
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     ./remove-update-button.patch
   ];
 
-  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/lib/switchboard";
+  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/lib/switchboard";
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
     description = "Switchboard About Plug";
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/applications/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/applications/default.nix
index dca9cc662a2b..ddb589c9e792 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/applications/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/applications/default.nix
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     switchboard
   ];
 
-  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/lib/switchboard";
+  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/lib/switchboard";
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
     description = "Switchboard Applications Plug";
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/bluetooth/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/bluetooth/default.nix
index d1663ad48cd3..9f1c75b7b438 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/bluetooth/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/bluetooth/default.nix
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     switchboard
   ];
 
-  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/lib/switchboard";
+  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/lib/switchboard";
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
     description = "Switchboard Bluetooth Plug";
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/datetime/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/datetime/default.nix
index fb7ea18e88be..c0c7bbdec2e5 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/datetime/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/datetime/default.nix
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     ./clock-format.patch
   ];
 
-  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/lib/switchboard";
+  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/lib/switchboard";
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
     description = "Switchboard Date & Time Plug";
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/display/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/display/default.nix
index c15abfd8cb81..76cfe61fc777 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/display/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/display/default.nix
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     switchboard
   ];
 
-  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/lib/switchboard";
+  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/lib/switchboard";
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
     description = "Switchboard Displays Plug";
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/keyboard/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/keyboard/default.nix
index ba753af7e202..8b82543a0e5f 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/keyboard/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/keyboard/default.nix
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     })
   ];
 
-  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/lib/switchboard";
+  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/lib/switchboard";
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
     description = "Switchboard Keyboard Plug";
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/mouse-touchpad/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/mouse-touchpad/default.nix
index 00579c545254..7e572e2326bd 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/mouse-touchpad/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/mouse-touchpad/default.nix
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     switchboard
   ];
 
-  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/lib/switchboard";
+  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/lib/switchboard";
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
     description = "Switchboard Mouse & Touchpad Plug";
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/network/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/network/default.nix
index 09d6da4f2460..b3e4879fdae4 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/network/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/network/default.nix
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   ];
 
 
-  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/lib/switchboard";
+  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/lib/switchboard";
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
     description = "Switchboard Networking Plug";
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/notifications/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/notifications/default.nix
index e547f22fec16..a61124954698 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/notifications/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/notifications/default.nix
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     switchboard
   ];
 
-  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/lib/switchboard";
+  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/lib/switchboard";
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
     description = "Switchboard Notifications Plug";
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/pantheon-shell/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/pantheon-shell/default.nix
index b9fad17c2f75..6046a4d21252 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/pantheon-shell/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/pantheon-shell/default.nix
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   '';
 
 
-  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/lib/switchboard";
+  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/lib/switchboard";
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
     description = "Switchboard Desktop Plug";
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/power/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/power/default.nix
index 461ddcd3764a..ea197643b95c 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/power/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/power/default.nix
@@ -64,10 +64,10 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
       --subst-var-by GSD_GSETTINGS_PATH ${elementary-settings-daemon}/share/gsettings-schemas/${elementary-settings-daemon.name}/glib-2.0/schemas
   '';
 
-  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/lib/switchboard";
-  PKG_CONFIG_DBUS_1_SYSTEM_BUS_SERVICES_DIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/share/dbus-1/system-services";
-  PKG_CONFIG_DBUS_1_SYSCONFDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/etc";
-  PKG_CONFIG_POLKIT_GOBJECT_1_POLICYDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/share/polkit-1/actions";
+  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/lib/switchboard";
+  PKG_CONFIG_DBUS_1_SYSTEM_BUS_SERVICES_DIR = "${placeholder "out"}/share/dbus-1/system-services";
+  PKG_CONFIG_DBUS_1_SYSCONFDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/etc";
+  PKG_CONFIG_POLKIT_GOBJECT_1_POLICYDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/share/polkit-1/actions";
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
     description = "Switchboard Power Plug";
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/printers/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/printers/default.nix
index 5c303e04982b..d1feaaf0ea4f 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/printers/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/printers/default.nix
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     switchboard
   ];
 
-  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/lib/switchboard";
+  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/lib/switchboard";
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
     description = "Switchboard Printers Plug";
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/security-privacy/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/security-privacy/default.nix
index 19967c3bce05..042140546160 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/security-privacy/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/security-privacy/default.nix
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     zeitgeist
   ];
 
-  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/lib/switchboard";
+  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/lib/switchboard";
 
   patches = [
     ./hardcode-gsettings.patch
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/sharing/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/sharing/default.nix
index b4aafb270062..87ae233916d8 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/sharing/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/sharing/default.nix
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     switchboard
   ];
 
-  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/lib/switchboard";
+  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/lib/switchboard";
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
     description = "Switchboard Sharing Plug";
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/sound/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/sound/default.nix
index ed3518c764f9..dee2f851e3fd 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/sound/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/apps/switchboard-plugs/sound/default.nix
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     switchboard
   ];
 
-  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/lib/switchboard";
+  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/lib/switchboard";
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
     description = "Switchboard Sound Plug";
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/applications-menu/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/applications-menu/default.nix
index 9f40c0f9e582..ae138c9215c1 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/applications-menu/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/applications-menu/default.nix
@@ -70,11 +70,11 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
    ];
 
   mesonFlags = [
-    "--sysconfdir=${placeholder ''out''}/etc"
+    "--sysconfdir=${placeholder "out"}/etc"
   ];
 
-  PKG_CONFIG_WINGPANEL_2_0_INDICATORSDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/lib/wingpanel";
-  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/lib/switchboard";
+  PKG_CONFIG_WINGPANEL_2_0_INDICATORSDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/lib/wingpanel";
+  PKG_CONFIG_SWITCHBOARD_2_0_PLUGSDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/lib/switchboard";
 
   patches = [
     (substituteAll {
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/bluetooth/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/bluetooth/default.nix
index 7e73adcd7e91..36d1cf0e77a3 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/bluetooth/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/bluetooth/default.nix
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     wingpanel
   ];
 
-  PKG_CONFIG_WINGPANEL_2_0_INDICATORSDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/lib/wingpanel";
+  PKG_CONFIG_WINGPANEL_2_0_INDICATORSDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/lib/wingpanel";
 
   postPatch = ''
     chmod +x meson/post_install.py
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/datetime/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/datetime/default.nix
index 1ab3c579e145..74408a4ed6d4 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/datetime/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/datetime/default.nix
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     })
   ];
 
-  PKG_CONFIG_WINGPANEL_2_0_INDICATORSDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/lib/wingpanel";
+  PKG_CONFIG_WINGPANEL_2_0_INDICATORSDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/lib/wingpanel";
 
   postPatch = ''
     chmod +x meson/post_install.py
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/keyboard/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/keyboard/default.nix
index 00a57cb99433..5431b982f540 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/keyboard/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/keyboard/default.nix
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     })
   ];
 
-  PKG_CONFIG_WINGPANEL_2_0_INDICATORSDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/lib/wingpanel";
+  PKG_CONFIG_WINGPANEL_2_0_INDICATORSDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/lib/wingpanel";
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
     description = "Keyboard Indicator for Wingpanel";
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/network/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/network/default.nix
index d5ce97df509d..6ba19ebf77ee 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/network/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/network/default.nix
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     wingpanel
   ];
 
-  PKG_CONFIG_WINGPANEL_2_0_INDICATORSDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/lib/wingpanel";
+  PKG_CONFIG_WINGPANEL_2_0_INDICATORSDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/lib/wingpanel";
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
     description = "Network Indicator for Wingpanel";
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/nightlight/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/nightlight/default.nix
index 0eab02bf8c80..0327d5e78e2c 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/nightlight/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/nightlight/default.nix
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     wingpanel
   ];
 
-  PKG_CONFIG_WINGPANEL_2_0_INDICATORSDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/lib/wingpanel";
+  PKG_CONFIG_WINGPANEL_2_0_INDICATORSDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/lib/wingpanel";
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
     description = "Night Light Indicator for Wingpanel";
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/notifications/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/notifications/default.nix
index 78c901a23063..a4266a6f4595 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/notifications/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/notifications/default.nix
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     wingpanel
   ];
 
-  PKG_CONFIG_WINGPANEL_2_0_INDICATORSDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/lib/wingpanel";
+  PKG_CONFIG_WINGPANEL_2_0_INDICATORSDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/lib/wingpanel";
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
     description = "Notifications Indicator for Wingpanel";
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/power/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/power/default.nix
index f63cca74a4dc..9f9d47030600 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/power/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/power/default.nix
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     wingpanel
   ];
 
-  PKG_CONFIG_WINGPANEL_2_0_INDICATORSDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/lib/wingpanel";
+  PKG_CONFIG_WINGPANEL_2_0_INDICATORSDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/lib/wingpanel";
 
   postPatch = ''
     chmod +x meson/post_install.py
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/session/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/session/default.nix
index b363cb5485a5..f48638ff2b16 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/session/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/session/default.nix
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     wingpanel
   ];
 
-  PKG_CONFIG_WINGPANEL_2_0_INDICATORSDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/lib/wingpanel";
+  PKG_CONFIG_WINGPANEL_2_0_INDICATORSDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/lib/wingpanel";
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
     description = "Session Indicator for Wingpanel";
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/sound/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/sound/default.nix
index 6d0e791d1e41..038ab75094cd 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/sound/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/desktop/wingpanel-indicators/sound/default.nix
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     wingpanel
   ];
 
-  PKG_CONFIG_WINGPANEL_2_0_INDICATORSDIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/lib/wingpanel";
+  PKG_CONFIG_WINGPANEL_2_0_INDICATORSDIR = "${placeholder "out"}/lib/wingpanel";
 
   postPatch = ''
     chmod +x meson/post_install.py
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/services/contractor/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/services/contractor/default.nix
index 6401b96a2eab..b10e97f77d73 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/services/contractor/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/pantheon/services/contractor/default.nix
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     libgee
   ];
 
-  PKG_CONFIG_DBUS_1_SESSION_BUS_SERVICES_DIR = "${placeholder ''out''}/share/dbus-1/services";
+  PKG_CONFIG_DBUS_1_SESSION_BUS_SERVICES_DIR = "${placeholder "out"}/share/dbus-1/services";
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
     description = "A desktop-wide extension service used by elementary OS";
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/surf-display/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/surf-display/default.nix
index f3554fe0b40a..47b7e1172068 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/surf-display/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/surf-display/default.nix
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
        --prefix PATH ':' ${stdenv.lib.makeBinPath buildInputs}
   '';
 
-  makeFlags = [ "PREFIX=${placeholder ''out''}" ];
+  makeFlags = [ "PREFIX=${placeholder "out"}" ];
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
     description = "Kiosk browser session manager based on the surf browser";
diff --git a/pkgs/desktops/xfce4-14/xfce4-session/default.nix b/pkgs/desktops/xfce4-14/xfce4-session/default.nix
index 070f40b52d5c..3361f541dc51 100644
--- a/pkgs/desktops/xfce4-14/xfce4-session/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/desktops/xfce4-14/xfce4-session/default.nix
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ mkXfceDerivation rec {
 
   buildInputs = [ exo gtk3 glib libxfce4ui libxfce4util libwnck3 xfconf polkit iceauth ];
 
-  configureFlags = [ "--with-xsession-prefix=${placeholder ''out''}" ];
+  configureFlags = [ "--with-xsession-prefix=${placeholder "out"}" ];
 
   # See https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/issues/36468
   NIX_CFLAGS_COMPILE = "-I${glib.dev}/include/gio-unix-2.0";
diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/accountsservice/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/accountsservice/default.nix
index 8713663ecca7..860ac3fde41f 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/accountsservice/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/accountsservice/default.nix
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   mesonFlags = [
     "-Dadmin_group=wheel"
     "-Dlocalstatedir=/var"
-    "-Dsystemdsystemunitdir=${placeholder ''out''}/etc/systemd/system"
+    "-Dsystemdsystemunitdir=${placeholder "out"}/etc/systemd/system"
   ];
 
   postPatch = ''
diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/bamf/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/bamf/default.nix
index de436864edaa..b1fb17b08fa9 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/bamf/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/bamf/default.nix
@@ -55,8 +55,8 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
 
   # fix paths
   makeFlags = [
-    "INTROSPECTION_GIRDIR=${placeholder ''dev''}/share/gir-1.0/"
-    "INTROSPECTION_TYPELIBDIR=${placeholder ''out''}/lib/girepository-1.0"
+    "INTROSPECTION_GIRDIR=${placeholder "dev"}/share/gir-1.0/"
+    "INTROSPECTION_TYPELIBDIR=${placeholder "out"}/lib/girepository-1.0"
   ];
 
   preConfigure = ''
diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/dee/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/dee/default.nix
index 04ecadadefa0..093cc2bdf058 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/dee/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/dee/default.nix
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
 
   configureFlags = [
     "--disable-gtk-doc"
-    "--with-pygi-overrides-dir=${placeholder ''py''}/${python3.sitePackages}/gi/overrides"
+    "--with-pygi-overrides-dir=${placeholder "py"}/${python3.sitePackages}/gi/overrides"
   ];
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/gnome-menus/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/gnome-menus/default.nix
index 501fe4d0849f..f6ff3a2ea4ad 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/gnome-menus/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/gnome-menus/default.nix
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   };
 
   makeFlags = [
-    "INTROSPECTION_GIRDIR=${placeholder ''out''}/share/gir-1.0/"
-    "INTROSPECTION_TYPELIBDIR=${placeholder ''out''}/lib/girepository-1.0"
+    "INTROSPECTION_GIRDIR=${placeholder "out"}/share/gir-1.0/"
+    "INTROSPECTION_TYPELIBDIR=${placeholder "out"}/lib/girepository-1.0"
   ];
 
   nativeBuildInputs = [ pkgconfig gettext ];
diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/graphene/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/graphene/default.nix
index c439e763e73d..0348135c7b20 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/graphene/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/graphene/default.nix
@@ -32,8 +32,8 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
 
   mesonFlags = [
     "-Dgtk_doc=true"
-    "-Dinstalled_test_datadir=${placeholder ''installedTests''}/share"
-    "-Dinstalled_test_bindir=${placeholder ''installedTests''}/libexec"
+    "-Dinstalled_test_datadir=${placeholder "installedTests"}/share"
+    "-Dinstalled_test_bindir=${placeholder "installedTests"}/libexec"
   ];
 
   nativeBuildInputs = [
diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/libaccounts-glib/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/libaccounts-glib/default.nix
index 7f9dbf3a21fc..07e0a3500a76 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/libaccounts-glib/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/libaccounts-glib/default.nix
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   # See: https://gitlab.com/accounts-sso/libaccounts-glib/merge_requests/22
   patches = [ ./py-override.patch ];
 
-  nativeBuildInputs = [ 
+  nativeBuildInputs = [
     check
     docbook_xml_dtd_43
     docbook_xsl
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   LC_ALL = "en_US.UTF-8";
 
   mesonFlags = [
-    "-Dpy-overrides-dir=${placeholder ''py''}/${python3.sitePackages}/gi/overrides"
+    "-Dpy-overrides-dir=${placeholder "py"}/${python3.sitePackages}/gi/overrides"
   ];
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/libdbusmenu/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/libdbusmenu/default.nix
index e064084f695e..a7bfe7f17a24 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/libdbusmenu/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/libdbusmenu/default.nix
@@ -49,9 +49,9 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   doCheck = false; # generates shebangs in check phase, too lazy to fix
 
   installFlags = [
-    "sysconfdir=${placeholder ''out''}/etc"
+    "sysconfdir=${placeholder "out"}/etc"
     "localstatedir=\${TMPDIR}"
-    "typelibdir=${placeholder ''out''}/lib/girepository-1.0"
+    "typelibdir=${placeholder "out"}/lib/girepository-1.0"
   ];
 
   meta = {
diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/libgdata/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/libgdata/default.nix
index f61283aec4a0..14fc7e64a0b4 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/libgdata/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/libgdata/default.nix
@@ -77,8 +77,8 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
 
   mesonFlags = [
     "-Dgtk_doc=false"
-    "-Dinstalled_test_bindir=${placeholder ''installedTests''}/libexec"
-    "-Dinstalled_test_datadir=${placeholder ''installedTests''}/share"
+    "-Dinstalled_test_bindir=${placeholder "installedTests"}/libexec"
+    "-Dinstalled_test_datadir=${placeholder "installedTests"}/share"
     "-Dinstalled_tests=true"
   ];
 
diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/libgpiod/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/libgpiod/default.nix
index 23f46ad2a0cf..782c0a8857a4 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/libgpiod/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/libgpiod/default.nix
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   configureFlags = [
     "--enable-tools=${if enable-tools then "yes" else "no"}"
     "--enable-bindings-cxx"
-    "--prefix=${placeholder ''out''}"
+    "--prefix=${placeholder "out"}"
   ];
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/libirecovery/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/libirecovery/default.nix
index 32a2971b3e36..be05f120e13a 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/libirecovery/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/libirecovery/default.nix
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   # as only the `idevicerestore` binary was tested so far (which worked
   # without further configuration).
   configureFlags = [
-    "--with-udevrulesdir=${placeholder ''out''}/lib/udev/rules.d"
+    "--with-udevrulesdir=${placeholder "out"}/lib/udev/rules.d"
     ''--with-udevrule="OWNER=\"root\", GROUP=\"myusergroup\", MODE=\"0660\""''
   ];
 
diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/libmbim/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/libmbim/default.nix
index 406b88ea8c1b..7a7bd1153280 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/libmbim/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/libmbim/default.nix
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   outputs = [ "out" "dev" "man" ];
 
   configureFlags = [
-    "--with-udev-base-dir=${placeholder ''out''}/lib/udev"
+    "--with-udev-base-dir=${placeholder "out"}/lib/udev"
   ];
 
   nativeBuildInputs = [
diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/libqmi/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/libqmi/default.nix
index 8a2390483908..930eafc96759 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/libqmi/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/libqmi/default.nix
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   outputs = [ "out" "dev" "devdoc" ];
 
   configureFlags = [
-    "--with-udev-base-dir=${placeholder ''out''}/lib/udev"
+    "--with-udev-base-dir=${placeholder "out"}/lib/udev"
   ];
 
   nativeBuildInputs = [
diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/libunity/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/libunity/default.nix
index a0ec3b74cc17..501bf9a3dc9d 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/libunity/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/libunity/default.nix
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
 
   configureFlags = [
     "--disable-static"
-    "--with-pygi-overrides-dir=${placeholder ''py''}/${python3.sitePackages}/gi/overrides"
+    "--with-pygi-overrides-dir=${placeholder "py"}/${python3.sitePackages}/gi/overrides"
   ];
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {
diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/tracker/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/tracker/default.nix
index 397184f798a8..db4f620a740f 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/tracker/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/tracker/default.nix
@@ -30,8 +30,8 @@ in stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   LC_ALL = "en_US.UTF-8";
 
   mesonFlags = [
-    "-Ddbus_services=${placeholder ''out''}/share/dbus-1/services"
-    "-Dsystemd_user_services=${placeholder ''out''}/lib/systemd/user"
+    "-Ddbus_services=${placeholder "out"}/share/dbus-1/services"
+    "-Dsystemd_user_services=${placeholder "out"}/lib/systemd/user"
     # TODO: figure out wrapping unit tests, some of them fail on missing gsettings-desktop-schemas
     "-Dfunctional_tests=false"
     "-Ddocs=true"
diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/zeitgeist/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/zeitgeist/default.nix
index c5dc775d0755..9e3b06453bfa 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/zeitgeist/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/zeitgeist/default.nix
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
 
   preConfigure = "NOCONFIGURE=1 ./autogen.sh";
 
-  configureFlags = [ "--with-session-bus-services-dir=${placeholder ''out''}/share/dbus-1/services" ];
+  configureFlags = [ "--with-session-bus-services-dir=${placeholder "out"}/share/dbus-1/services" ];
 
   nativeBuildInputs = [
     autoconf automake libtool pkgconfig gettext gobject-introspection vala python2Packages.python
diff --git a/pkgs/os-specific/linux/upower/default.nix b/pkgs/os-specific/linux/upower/default.nix
index 14458356a790..6b0dc179d0fc 100644
--- a/pkgs/os-specific/linux/upower/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/os-specific/linux/upower/default.nix
@@ -43,9 +43,9 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     "--localstatedir=/var"
   ]
   ++ stdenv.lib.optional useSystemd [
-    "--with-systemdsystemunitdir=${placeholder ''out''}/etc/systemd/system"
-    "--with-systemdutildir=${placeholder ''out''}/lib/systemd"
-    "--with-udevrulesdir=${placeholder ''out''}/lib/udev/rules.d"
+    "--with-systemdsystemunitdir=${placeholder "out"}/etc/systemd/system"
+    "--with-systemdutildir=${placeholder "out"}/lib/systemd"
+    "--with-udevrulesdir=${placeholder "out"}/lib/udev/rules.d"
   ]
   ;
 
diff --git a/pkgs/tools/audio/mp3cat/default.nix b/pkgs/tools/audio/mp3cat/default.nix
index 19f670793ba2..acd11bc75e6f 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/audio/mp3cat/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/audio/mp3cat/default.nix
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   };
 
   makeFlags = [
-    "PREFIX=${placeholder ''out''}"
+    "PREFIX=${placeholder "out"}"
   ];
 
   installTargets = [
diff --git a/pkgs/tools/misc/most/default.nix b/pkgs/tools/misc/most/default.nix
index 6baaa38f1bb1..7adac5ee2ee6 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/misc/most/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/misc/most/default.nix
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   outputs = [ "out" "doc" ];
 
   makeFlags = [
-    "DOC_DIR=${placeholder ''doc''}/share/doc/most"
+    "DOC_DIR=${placeholder "doc"}/share/doc/most"
   ];
 
   preConfigure = ''
diff --git a/pkgs/tools/networking/modem-manager/default.nix b/pkgs/tools/networking/modem-manager/default.nix
index 6f0732b8cfdf..b2644d0c2a49 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/networking/modem-manager/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/networking/modem-manager/default.nix
@@ -17,9 +17,9 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
 
   configureFlags = [
     "--with-polkit"
-    "--with-udev-base-dir=${placeholder ''out''}/lib/udev"
-    "--with-dbus-sys-dir=${placeholder ''out''}/etc/dbus-1/system.d"
-    "--with-systemdsystemunitdir=${placeholder ''out''}/etc/systemd/system"
+    "--with-udev-base-dir=${placeholder "out"}/lib/udev"
+    "--with-dbus-sys-dir=${placeholder "out"}/etc/dbus-1/system.d"
+    "--with-systemdsystemunitdir=${placeholder "out"}/etc/systemd/system"
     "--sysconfdir=/etc"
     "--localstatedir=/var"
     "--with-systemd-suspend-resume"
diff --git a/pkgs/tools/networking/ofono/default.nix b/pkgs/tools/networking/ofono/default.nix
index 21d1f9ee0675..27f4b9562b38 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/networking/ofono/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/networking/ofono/default.nix
@@ -41,8 +41,8 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   ];
 
   configureFlags = [
-    "--with-dbusconfdir=${placeholder ''out''}/share"
-    "--with-systemdunitdir=${placeholder ''out''}/lib/systemd/system"
+    "--with-dbusconfdir=${placeholder "out"}/share"
+    "--with-systemdunitdir=${placeholder "out"}/lib/systemd/system"
     "--enable-external-ell"
   ];
 
diff --git a/pkgs/tools/security/sequoia/default.nix b/pkgs/tools/security/sequoia/default.nix
index 5d9ffca69375..5848f7d92af5 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/security/sequoia/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/security/sequoia/default.nix
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ rustPlatform.buildRustPackage rec {
   ;
 
   makeFlags = [
-    "PREFIX=${placeholder ''out''}"
+    "PREFIX=${placeholder "out"}"
   ];
 
   buildFlags = [