diff --git a/gnu/packages/fontutils.scm b/gnu/packages/fontutils.scm
index 234f11129a..b0d40efeae 100644
--- a/gnu/packages/fontutils.scm
+++ b/gnu/packages/fontutils.scm
@@ -353,8 +353,8 @@ Font Format (WOFF).")
               "--with-cache-dir=/var/cache/fontconfig"
               ;; register the default fonts
               (string-append "--with-default-fonts="
-                             (assoc-ref %build-inputs "font-dejavu")
-                             "/share/fonts")
+                             #$(file-append (this-package-input "font-dejavu")
+                                            "/share/fonts"))
 
               ;; Register fonts from user and system profiles.
               (string-append "--with-add-fonts="