diff --git a/pkgs/stdenv/generic/make-derivation.nix b/pkgs/stdenv/generic/make-derivation.nix
index 417c10363b52..ad52503548af 100644
--- a/pkgs/stdenv/generic/make-derivation.nix
+++ b/pkgs/stdenv/generic/make-derivation.nix
@@ -86,6 +86,8 @@ in rec {
     , hardeningEnable ? []
     , hardeningDisable ? []
 
+    , patches ? []
+
     , ... } @ attrs:
 
     let
@@ -235,6 +237,8 @@ in rec {
             ++ optional (elem "host"   configurePlatforms) "--host=${stdenv.hostPlatform.config}"
             ++ optional (elem "target" configurePlatforms) "--target=${stdenv.targetPlatform.config}";
 
+          inherit patches;
+
           inherit doCheck doInstallCheck;
 
           inherit outputs;