diff --git a/default.nix b/default.nix
index 1acb3af..98b8a01 100644
--- a/default.nix
+++ b/default.nix
@@ -58,7 +58,12 @@ in
     FONTCONFIG_FILE = pkgs.makeFontsConf {
       fontDirectories = with pkgs; [ libertinus julia-mono ];
     };
-   XDG_CACHE_HOME = "$NIX_BUILD_TOP";
+
+    preConfigure = ''
+      # set directories for temporary files
+      export XDG_CACHE_HOME=$NIX_BUILD_TOP
+      export XDG_CONFIG_HOME=$NIX_BUILD_TOP
+    '';
 
     enableParallelBuilding = true;